CAS PS 101 Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Frequency Distribution, Null Hypothesis, Standard Deviation

• School: Boston University
• Department: Psychological & Brain Sciences
• Course: CAS PS 101
• Professor: Ben Wormwood

Document Summary

Empiricism : the belief that accurate knowledge of the world requires observation of it. Dogmatism : tendency to lay down principles as incontrovertibly true, without consideration of evidence or the opinions of others, authority. A set of rules and techniques for observation. Allows observers to avoid the illusions, mistakes, and erroneous conclusions that simple observation can produce. Ockham"s razor: begin to explain phenomena using the simplest theory. Only complicate this theory if evidence demands it. Complexity: the human brain is made up of 500 billion interconnected neurons. Variability: no two people ever do, say, think or feel exactly the same under exactly the same circumstances. Reactivity: people often think, feel or behave differently if they know they are under observation. A rigorous and systematic method of scientific study. Theory: a hypothetical amount of how and why a phenomenon occurs. Hypothesis : testable prediction or claim of what will occur under a stated set of conditions.