PSY 1101 Study Guide - Logical Positivism, Psychedelic Drug, Cortical Blindness

• School: University of Ottawa
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSY 1101
• Professor: A L L

Document Summary

Based on theory, scientists form an hypothesis (or prediction). According to many philosophers of science, we assume all hypothesis are false under proven otherwise. We can prove the positive (something exists). We cannot prove the negative (something does not exist). They cannot prove something that does not exist. In this sense, science is very cynical, and pessimistic. The onus is thus on the researcher to prove their theory true. We assume the theory is wrong until proven otherwise. Scientists thus state a null hypothesis (exactly like the court system). If our theory is true, the manipulation of the independent variable causes another variable to change. Hypothesis: if children violent mass media, they will learn that violence is acceptable. The (freudian) catharsis theory - exposure (experiencing) a drive (or repressed urge) will decrease the drive . Statistical significance: this means that differences of a certain magnitude could not occur by chance.