PSY100H1 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: External Validity, Replication Crisis, Naturalistic Observation
Psychology as a science
Science depends on
-Empiricism (knowledge = produced by senses and observation)
-Rationalism (knowledge= produced by logical argumentation + debate)
Two processes together: stronger and self-correcting process
Hypothesis: Testable prediction about variables (processes that can be measured and observed)
-Hypothesis needs to be falsifiable: possible for it to be proven wrong by results/data from
the experiment
-Derived from previous observations
-As simple as possible
-Should be specific: what we are manipulating and what we will be observing
-Operationalization: precise description of the procedures/ operations or measures that
will be used in the experiment (ex: define what a “violent act” is) In order to make
hypothesis falsifiable
What is the point of developing and testing hypothesis? To come up with a Theory
Theory: explanation for a broad range of observations (a phenomenon), which can generate new
hypothesis. Integrates new findings into a coherent whole
-Set of best arguments integrated to explain a certain phenomenon
-Higher order arguments that link explanations together
Process of science (self-correcting):
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
65
PSY100H1 Full Course Notes
Verified Note
65 documents
Document Summary
Empiricism (knowledge = produced by senses and observation) Rationalism (knowledge= produced by logical argumentation + debate) Hypothesis: testable prediction about variables (processes that can be measured and observed) Hypothesis needs to be falsifiable: possible for it to be proven wrong by results/data from the experiment. Should be specific: what we are manipulating and what we will be observing. Operationalization: precise description of the procedures/ operations or measures that will be used in the experiment (ex: define what a violent act is) in order to make hypothesis falsifiable. Theory: explanation for a broad range of observations (a phenomenon), which can generate new hypothesis. Set of best arguments integrated to explain a certain phenomenon. Higher order arguments that link explanations together. Scientific data: based on measurements that are reliable, objective, valid. Objective: no contradiction (within margin of error) across instruments and observers: coherent: speaks the same language (ex: same operationalized definitions, consistency: no contradictions, convergence: experiments independently come up to same results.
