PSYB32H3 Chapter : Book Notes
Document Summary
Chapter 5: research methods in the study of abnormal. Science: the pursuit of systematized knowledge through observation. Theory: set of propositions meant to explain a class of phenomena. Hypotheses: expectations about what should occur if a theory is true. The generation of a theory is perhaps the most challenging part of the scientific enterprise. One earlier school of thought, called operationism, proposed that each concept take as its meaning a single observable and measurable operation. In this way each theoretical concept would be nothing more than one particular measurable event. For example, anxiety might be identified as nothing more than scoring above 50 on a particular anxiety questionnaire. Multiple personality is known also as dissociative identity disorder. A case study may reveal principles characteristic of people in general and is unable to provide satisfactory evidence concerning cause-effect relationships. Epidemiology: the study of the frequency and distribution of a disorder in a population.
