PS101 Chapter Notes - Chapter 2: Criterion Validity, Content Validity, Naturalistic Observation
Document Summary
Skepticism: scientists do not accept ideas on faith or authority, treat conclusions (old and new) with caution, caution balanced with openness to new ideas and evidence. Reliance on empirical evidence: anecdotes are insufficient, gathered through use of various research methods. Willingness to make risky predictions : principle of falsifiability: scientific theory must make predictions that are specific enough to disconfirm the theory. Predicts not only what will happen but also what won"t happen: confirmation bias: tendency to seek and accept evidence that supports our theories and ignore evidence that contradicts beliefs. Openness: explain the source of ideas, how they were tested and what the results were so replication possible, peer review process ensures scientific standards and provides system of checks and balances. Descriptive studies: goal to describe and predict behavior but does not allow causal explanations, essential for all studies is obtaining a representative sample, descriptive methods [case studies, observational studies, psychological tests, surveys]: case studies,