Mia Ramos

Block 2

Unit 2 Research Methods Questions

1. Why are the answers that flow from the scientific approach more reliable than those based on
intuition and common sense?
Intuition and common sense are often affected by hindsight biasthe tendency to believe we
knew the outcome of an event before it occurred. Overconfidence also affects our judgement because of
our tendency to find information to support our ideaseven if they may be incorrectrather than find some
that opposes. Information gathered from scientific approach is more accurate because it lacks bias and
comes from experimentation.

2. What are three main components of the scientific attitude?

The scientific approach involves three main parts: a curious eagerness to, skeptically scrutinize
competing ideas, and an open-minded humility before nature. These ideas assist in critical thinking, which
is used to examine assumptions, discern hidden values, evaluate evidence, and assess conclusions.
Curiosity, skepticism, and humility allow for modern science to happen.

3. How do theories advance psychological science?

Scientific theories are explanations using an integrated set of principles that organizes
observations and predicts behaviors or event. In other words, they are mere hunches that often imply
hypothesesa testable prediction. In testing a hypothesis, operational definitions of procedures and
concepts are used by scientists to cancel out their biases and validate their theories. If the results can be
successfully replicated, it further supports the original theory.

4. How do psychologists observe and describe behavior?

Case studies, surveys, and naturalistic observations are common forms of observation. Case
studies focus on a single individual and suggest further study, while surveys are used to gather
information from a large population. It is important to gather a random sampling of a population when
conducting surveys in order to receive a variety of information from a diversity of sources. Naturalistic
observations allow for behavioral observation in a natural setting without influencing the behavior and
affecting the results like in a manipulated, controlled environment.

5. What are positive and negative correlations, and why do they enable prediction but not
cause-effect explanation?
Correlations are used to determine how well two factors affect each other and are often illustrated
by scatterplots. The correlation coefficient is a statistical measure of the relationship between two factors
(from -1 to +1). Positive correlation shows that the two factors increase together, while negative
correlation show as one increases the other decreases. Correlations indicates the possibility of
association but does not prove causation or whether one factor causes the others direction.

6. What are illusory correlations?

An illusory correlation is a believed relationship between two things, yet the relationship is
actually nonexistent. This is caused by observing patterns or sequences in random data sets in attempt to
make sense into the information. We tend to find and notice information that confirm our beliefs even if we
may be wrong.

7. How do experiments, powered by random assignment, clarify cause and effect?

Experiments are conducted to test the cause and effect of relationships. Through experiments,
variables are manipulated and controlled to test certain values and receive certain results. Confounding
variables are those outside of the independent and dependent variables that may affect the results of the
experiment and usually attempted to be controlled. Random assignment is used to minimize the
differences between the experimental and control groups to get an equal variability of data. Independent
variables are manipulated to study the effects of the factors manipulated. Dependent variables are

controlled and are used to compare and measure the effects of the manipulation. Double-blind
proceduresthose that have both the researchers and subjects blindprevent any bias towards those
given the placebo and those who received the treatment.

8. How can we describe data with measures of central tendency and variation?
Central tendency is measured in three ways: median, mean, and mode. The median is the middle
score, the mean is the average value in the data set, and the mode is the most frequent occurring score.
A range describes the difference of the highest and lowest scores. Standard deviation is more useful
because it shows the variability of the mean score. Normal curves are bell-shaped and describes data
distribution. Variability is important because it tells how diverse or similar the data set is.

9. What principles can guide our making generalizations from samples and deciding whether
differences are significant?
Representative samples are better than biases samples because it is a better basis for
generalizing information. Less-variable observations are more reliable than those more variable because
the average is more reliable from scores with low variability. More cases are better than fewer because it
gathers more information to form a better generalization. Generalizations that are formed based a few
unrepresentative cases are unreliable.

10. Can laboratory experiments illuminate everyday life?

In a laboratory environment, the experimenter intends for the environment to be simplified and
simulate reality to control important features and trigger certain results. The experimenters purpose is to
test theoretical principles, not re-create exact behaviors. Resulting principles help explain everyday
behaviors.

11. Does behavior depend on one's culture and gender?

Culture includes the shared ideas and behaviors that are passed through several generations.
Studying the differences in races and cultures helps define the similarities and differences among
behaviors of individuals, showing diversity. Behavior is not dependent on gender because both males and
females exhibit similar overall intelligence and well-being.

12. Why do psychologists study animals, and is it ethical to experiment on animals?

Animals are studied to understand the physiological and psychological processes they share with
humans. Because of ethics, experiments that involve animals rarely expose them to pain. Although testing
on animals spares human suffering, animals rights groups created the controversy of whether the
temporary pain of animals is worth it.

13. Is it ethical to experiment on people?

For experiments on people to be considered ethical, the subject must give consent to the
experimenter and be fully informed of the possible risks and discomfort. They must be debriefed on the
results of the experiment to understand what it was for and be allowed to stop participating at any time.
Most importantly, the participants must be treated respectfully and protected from any danger.

14. Is psychology free of value judgements?

Values affects the way we study a subject, influencing our choice of topic, interpretation of results,
and influence labels of behavior. Psychology's applications can be used in both positive and negative
ways.