PSYC 100 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Demand Characteristics, Frequency Distribution, Observer-Expectancy Effect

• School: Simon Fraser University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYC 100
• Professor: Sherri Atwood

Document Summary

Empiricism belief that accurate knowledge can be acquired through observations; essential element in scientific method idea of testing and being critical . Scientific method set of principles about the appropriate relationship between ideas and evidence. Observe: use ones senses to learn about the properties of an event or an object. Theory: hypothetical explanation of a natural phenomenon: big idea. Freudian theory is based off his big idea. Can form a hypothesis from this to see if it"s true. Rule of parsimony: simplest theory that explains all the evidence is the best one. Hypothesis: falsifiable prediction made by theory: einstein"s theory of relativity, one simple equation, youre trying to prove yourself wrong. By seeing how it doesn"t work, you see how it does. Empirical questions: framed as statements that look factual. Happiness is part of the clinical definition of satisfaction of life or depression has to do with suicidal tendencies . Work from a theory to build on knowledge.