PSY 120 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Criterion Validity, Naturalistic Observation, Confirmation Bias
Document Summary
Key characteristics of the ideal scientist: precision, scepticism, reliance on empirical evidence, willingness to make risky predictions , openness. Theory: organized system of assumptions & principles that purports to explain phenomena and how they are related. Hypothesis: statement that attempts to predict or account for a set of phenomena; specifies relationships; empirically tested. Operational definition: define terms in hypotheses by specifying the operations for observing & measuring the process or phenomenon, how are the variables practically defined. Anxiety defined as anticipation of receiving severe shock: permits assessment of validity. Scientists do not accept ideas on faith or authority. Scepticism means treating conclusions, both old and new, with caution. Caution balanced with openness to new ideas & evidence. A scientist relies on empirical evidence to determine whether a hypothesis is true: anecdotes are insufficient. Gathered through the use of various research methods.
