Chapter 2: Psychological Methods

Elements of behavior that exist but cannot be measured directly, such as aggressiveness, are called (a)   . (constructs/theories)

For the findings of a scientific study to be confirmed, the study must be (a)   , or repeated. (proved/replicated)

A (a)   is an educated guess. (behavior/hypothesis)

Research and experimentation can lead to the (a)   of a psychological theory and to the acceptance of its soundness. (rejection/validation)

Psychologists begin their studies by framing research questions.

• True

• False; participants

• False; sources of funding

After forming a research question, a psychologist will form a theory, or educated guess.

• True

• False; hypothesis

• False; constructs

Psychologists test hypotheses through a variety of methods.

• True

• False; theories

• False; behaviors

Psychologists might spend many years analyzing the results of their testing.

• True

• False; testing

• False; proving

If a researcher’s research observations oppose their original theory, then they can conclude that the theory is correct.

• True

• False; reject

• False; support

the act of establishing the soundness of an idea or theory

• validation

• replicated

• constructs

• hypothesis