PSY100H1 Chapter Notes -Observer-Expectancy Effect, Dependent And Independent Variables, Observational Study

• School: UTSG
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSY100H1
• Professor: Ashley Waggoner Denton

Document Summary

Scientific method a systematic procedure of observing and measuring phenomena to answer questions (4 goals) about what happens, when it happen, what causes it, and why: more objective than causal observations, three essential elements: Theory a model of interconnected ideas and concepts that explains what is observed and makes predictions about future events; good theory generate (multiple) testable hypothesis. Common characteristics of all types: variable something in the world that can be measured and that can vary, also be manipulated by experimenter, operational definitions id & quantify variables for measurement. Constructs internal attributes/characteristics that cannot be directly observed; but useful describing and explaining behavior. Descriptive study (observational study) involve observing and. Falsifiability must be possible, in principle, make classifying behavior observation show hypothesis/theory to be false: valued early in research process see whether a phenomenon. Hypothesis a specific prediction of what should be observed exists, expand later w/ diff research in the world if a theory is correct: observer intervention.