Design and Analysis Module 1

How Do We Define Science?

• reasoning from general to specific
• Having the vocabulary and basic knowledge of psychology, Using scientific/critical thinking to evaluate how to act, Acting ethically, Using a variety of ways to communicate effectively, Respecting diversity, Being reflective about behavior of self and others
• An approach to evidence, Consists of a set of attitudes and skills designed to prevent us from fooling ourselves, Acquired through observation, MUST include testing, Can be concluded to be accurate/supported, revised, and/or discarded
• People invest time, effort, energy, and money into treatments that do not work, Can cause people to forgo treatments that do work

How Do We Define Psychology?

• "I know a person who.."
• Assuming claim is correct because no one has shown it to be false
• The scientific study of the mind, brain, and behavior
• An error in reasoning that renders an argument invalid

Scientific Literacy

• Measuring concepts in clear and systematic ways that are free of personal bias
• The knowledge and understanding of scientific terms and principles required for evaluating information, making personal decisions, and taking part in public affairs.
• Openness to claims combined with a willingness to subject these claims to incisive scrutiny
• using emotions rather than evidence as the guide

Psychological Literacy

• Having the vocabulary and basic knowledge of psychology, Using scientific/critical thinking to evaluate how to act, Acting ethically, Using a variety of ways to communicate effectively, Respecting diversity, Being reflective about behavior of self and others
• Assuming claim is correct because no one has shown it to be false
• The scientific study of the mind, brain, and behavior
• capable of being proven false or incorrect

Scientific Theory

• Subject to future revision based on new research, Conclusions are never absolute
• You are either for me or against me
• failure to build upon existing scientific knowledge. Create grand new ideas from nothing
• General explanation for considerable number of findings in natural world

Productive

• generates many novel predictions that are tested through process of empirical research
• Accepting claim because authority figure endorses it
• Unfalsifiable claims; cannot be empirically tested
• promises remarkable or dramatic results but does not deliver on claims. Do not tell us anything about cause and effect, about how representative the cases are, and are difficult to verify

Falsifiable

• capable of being proven false or incorrect
• People invest time, effort, energy, and money into treatments that do not work, Can cause people to forgo treatments that do work
• Measuring concepts in clear and systematic ways that are free of personal bias
• General explanation for considerable number of findings in natural world

Induction

• reasoning from specific to general
• Assuming claim is correct because no one has shown it to be false
• General explanation for considerable number of findings in natural world
• Having the vocabulary and basic knowledge of psychology, Using scientific/critical thinking to evaluate how to act, Acting ethically, Using a variety of ways to communicate effectively, Respecting diversity, Being reflective about behavior of self and others

Problem with induction

• Seem to be scientific, but are not, Lack safeguards against confirmation bias and belief perseverance
• conclusions drawn in this way may be false
• "I know a person who.."
• No, can only be supported or rejected

Deductive Method

• Seem to be scientific, but are not, Lack safeguards against confirmation bias and belief perseverance
• capable of being proven false or incorrect
• So many people agree, so I do too
• reasoning from general to specific