Psychology 1000 Lecture : psych oct 9

• School: Western University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: Psychology 1000
• Professor: Terry Biggs

Document Summary

The scientific study of behaviour (brief intro to statistics) A hypothesis is a tentative explanation or prediction of some phenomenon: a hypothesis takes the form of an if-then statement. A theory is a set of formal statements that explains how and why certain events are related: theories are broader than hypothesis. A variable is any characteristic that can vary: ex. An operational definition defines a variable in terms of specific procedures used to produce or measure it: ex. Limitation: social desirability people will often tailor their report to what they think the receiver of the report will approve: reports by other. Limitation: situational specificity the source of the report may only have observations applicable to one setting: physiological. Limitation: physiological response doesn"t necessarily explain mental events: behavioural. Limitation: unreliability of observers: archival records. Unobtrusive measurement: behaviours are recorded in a way that keeps participants unaware of observation. In psychology many different forms of investigation may be employed.