PSYC 2010 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Radical Behaviorism, Scientific Method, Dream Interpretation

• School: Auburn University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYC 2010
• Professor: Murphy

Document Summary

The scientific attitude: approach the world with curious skepticism. Show me the evidence: requires humility. Our goals as researchers: describe what a phenomenon is, predict when it will occur. All about statistics- if that happens, then this will probably happen: control what causes it to occur, explain why it occurs. What, when, and why of mind and behavior: psychological science utilizes the scientific method. Theories, hypothesis, and research: three essential elements of the scientific method. Concept or idea to explain prior observation. Examples: frequent assessment improves knowledge retention, mdma improves symptoms of ptsd. According to some, ecstasy improves most things. Testable prediction of an outcome that supports the theory. Example: give quizzes multiple times before tests to see higher scores. The systematic (systematic separates research from observation) and careful collection of data: research participants. 50 m. c. question exam, same version to all. If the findings show that frequent assessments cause greater retention, then it supports your theory.