CHAPTER 1A Psychological Science The results of psychological research are relevant to problems such as learning and memory homelessness psychological disorders family instability and aggressive behavior and violence Psychological research is used in a range of important areas from public policy to driver safety Basic research is research that answers fundamental questions about behavior Applied research is research that investigates issues that have implications for everyday life and provides solutions to everyday problems The Scientific Method is the set of assumptions rules and procedures scientists use to conduct research objective or free from the personal bias or emotions of the scientist empirical which means they are based on systematic collection and analysis of data Laws and Theories as Organizing Principles laws Principles that are so general as to apply to all situations in a given domain of inquiry are known as theory is an integrated set of principles that explains and predicts many but not all observed relationships within a given domain of inquiry 1 Good theories are general meaning they summarize outcomes 2 Good theories are parsimonious meaning they provide the simplest possible account of those outcomes 3 good theories provide ideas for future research 4 Good theories are falsifiable meaning the variables of interest can be adequately measured and the relationships between the variables that are predicted by the theory can be shown through research to be incorrect No single theory is able to account for all behavior in all cases Rather theories are each limited in that they make accurate predictions in some situations or for some people but not in other situations or for other people Existing theories are modified on the basis of collected data and the new modified theories then make new predictions that are tested by new data and so forth The Research Hypothesis research hypothesis is a specific and falsifiable prediction about the relationship between or among two or more variables states the existence of a relationship between the variables of interest and the specific direction of that relationship variable is any attribute that can assume different values among different people or across different times or places Conceptual variables are abstract ideas that form the basis of research measured variables Variables consisting of numbers that represent the hypotheses conceptual variables operational definition A precise statement of how a conceptual variable is turned into a measured variable Conducting Ethical Research Research in psychology may cause some stress harm or inconvenience for the people who participate in that research This argument fails to consider the fact that there are significant costs to not doing research and that these costs may be greater than the potential costs of conducting the research Trust and positive rapport are created between the researcher and the participant The rights of both the experimenter and participant are considered and the relationship between them is mutually beneficial The experimenter treats the participant with concern and respect and attempts to make the research experience a pleasant and informative one Before the research begins the participant is given all information relevant to his or her decision to participate including any possibilities of physical danger or psychological stress The participant is given a chance to have questions about the procedure answered thus guaranteeing his or her free choice about participating After the experiment is over any deception that has been used is made public and the necessity for it is explained The experimenter carefully debriefs the participant explaining the underlying research hypothesis and the purpose of the experimental procedure in detail and answering any questions The experimenter provides information about how he or she can be contacted and offers to provide information about the results of the research if the participant is interested in receiving it Another goal of ethical research is to guarantee that participants have free choice regarding whether they wish to participate in research Deception occurs whenever research participants are not completely and fully informed about the nature of the research project before participating in it Ensuring That Research Is Ethical cost benefit analysis in which the costs are compared to the benefits If the potential costs of the research appear to outweigh any po tential benefits that might come from it then the research should not proceed Institutional Review Board IRB A committee of at least five members whose goal it is to determine cost benefit ratio of research conducted within an institution informed consent A procedure conducted before a participant begins a research session designed to explain the research procedures and inform the participant of his or her rights during the investigation Debriefing A procedure designed to fully explain the purposes and procedures of the research and remove any harmful aftereffects of participation Research With Animals Psychologists acquire care for use and dispose of animals in compliance with current federal state and local laws and regulations and with professional standards Psychologists trained in research methods and experienced in the care of laboratory animals supervise all procedures involving animals and are responsible for ensuring appropriate consideration of their comfort health and humane treatment ensure that all individuals under their supervision who are using animals have received instruction in research methods and in the care maintenance and handling of the species being used to the extent appropriate to their role make reasonable efforts to minimize the discomfort infection illness and pain of animal subjects use a procedure subjecting animals to pain stress or privation only when an alternative procedure is unavailable and the goal is justified by its prospective scientific educational or applied value Psychologists perform surgical procedures under appropriate anesthesia and follow techniques to avoid infection and minimize pain during and after surgery When it is appropriate that an animal s life be terminated psychologists proceed rapidly with an effort to minimize pain and in accordance with accepted procedures Descriptive correlational and Experimental Research to understand Behavior research design An approach used to collect analyze and
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