Psychology is a Way of Thinking

PSYCHOLOGY IS A WAY OF THINKING What is the difference Research Producers Vs. Research Consumers? Producers – produce research information. Examples of producers are University professors, lab researchers, studying brain anatomy/observing behaviour, analyzing data. Will most likely have a future working as a research scientists or professor. Consumers – gathering information from the producers to later apply it to their work, hobbies, relationships or personal growth. They might pursue careers as family therapists, teachers, entrepreneurs, guidance counselors, police officers, etc. Consumers must understand and know the research behind evidence-based treatments (therapies that are supported by research). HOW DO SCIENTISTS APPROACH THEIR WORK? 1) Scientists are Empiricists – uses evidence from the senses or from instruments that assist the senses are a basis for conclusions. 2) They use the Theory-Data Cycle (in this order) a. Theory – a set of statements that describes general principles about how variables relate to one another b. Research questions c. Research design d. Hypotheses – or prediction, is a way of stating the specific outcome the researcher expects to observe if the theory s accurate. e. Data – set of observations WHAT ARE FEATURES OF GOOD SCIENTIFIC THEORIES 1) Supported by Data – scientists need to conduct multiples studies, use a variety of methods, to address different aspects of their theories. A theory that is supported by large quantity and variety of evidence is a good theory. 2) Falsifiable – a theory must lead to hypotheses that, when tested, could actually fail to support the theory.( I.e. in a situation where your phone won’t load something, is it your wifi that’s broken? No, other apps are working, it might be the app itself) 3) Have Parsimony - simple. If two theories explain the data equally, but one is more simple, they will go for the more simple one. Even with all of this, theories don’t PROVE anything. THE SCIENTIST’S EMPIRICAL APPROACH CAN BE USED FOR BOTH APPLIED AND BASIC RESEARCH QUESTIONS – WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN APPLIED AND BASIC? 1) Applied Research – done with a practical problem in mind. The researchers hope their findings will be directly applied to the findings of research. Applied researchers might be looking for better ways to identify those who are likely to do a well at a particular job. They also might use empirical evidence to answer a nonprofit organizations questions. a. Which prosthetic hand design works best for our clients? b. Is the school districts new method of teaching mathematics working better than the former one? c. Is this treatment efficient for depression patients in a sample of trauma survivors? 2) Basic Research – not intended to address a specific, practical problem. The goal is to enhance the general body of knowledge. The knowledge they generate may be applied to real world issues later on (like in applied research) a. What is the structure of the visual system? b. What is the capacity of the human memory? c. What is the motivation of a depressed person? d. What are the limitations of the infant attachment system? 3) Translational Research – attempt to translate findings of basic science into applied areas. a. Basic research on approach and avoidance goals has also shown that these orientations can lead to different kinds of moods. Translational research applied this knowledge to depression, developing a theory that teaches depressed people to reframe their avoidance goals into approach goals, which seems to work well for some depressed people. What is the publication process? 1) Scientists publish their research in journals 2) Followed by a peer-review process that leads to sharper thinking and improved communication 3) After publication, published work can be approved or criticized by the scientific community 4) Journalists transform scientific studies for the general public, but sometimes don’t get it right. Need to ask is it important? Is it accurate? Review at the back: 1) Which of the following jobs most likely involves producer-ofresearch skills rather than consumer? Police officer University professor Physician Journalist 2) To be an empiricist one should: a. Base ones conclusions on direct observations b. Strive for parsimony c. Be sure that ones research can be applied in real world setting d. Discuss ones ideas in a public setting such as an online chat room 3) A statement, or a set of statements, that describes general principles about how variables relate to one another is an ________. a. Prediction b. Hypothesis c. Empirical observsation d. Theory 4) Why is publication an important part of the empirical process? a. Because publication enables practitioners to read the research and use it in applied settings b. Because publication contributes to making empirical observations independently verifiable c. Because journalists can make the knowledge available to the general public d. Because publication is the first step of the theory-data cycle 5) Which if the following research questions best illustrates an example of basic research? a. Has our company’s new marketing campaign led to an increase in sales? b. How satisfied are our patients with their wait-time in the waiting room? How satisfied are our patients with the sensitivity of the nursing staff? c. Do neuro-boosting soft drinks really work? d. Can 2 month old human infants discern the difference between four objects and six objects? Question 1 Correct Mark 1.00 out of 1.00 Flag question Question text Which of the following is a common way that journalists misrepresent science when they write about it for a popular audience? Select one: a. recalculating and correcting the published statistics b. interviewing the researcher who conducted the research c. clearly reporting the findings of the study d. exaggerating the strength of the findings Feedback FEEDBACK: The Journal-to-Journalism Cycle — Journalists make scientific research more accessible to the public. They tend to exaggerate the strengths of the finding, not change the statistics. Clearly reporting the study or interviewing the researcher would not be misrepresenting the science. The correct answer is: exaggerating the strength of the findings Question 2 Correct Mark 1.00 out of 1.00 Flag question Question text When the data from a study do not support the theory behind the study's hypothesis, what does that mean for the theory? Select one: a. The theory is disproven. b. The theory should be discarded. c. The theory should be revised. d. The theory should be made more parsimonious. Feedback FEEDBACK: The Theory Data Cycle — Theories need to be revised when they are not supported by data. The correct answer is: The theory should be revised. Question 3 Incorrect Mark 0.00 out of 1.00 Flag question Question text Which of the following outlines the correct order of steps in the theory-data cycle? Select one: a. data, hypothesis, research design, theory b. research design, data, theory, hypothesis c. theory, research design, hypothesis, data d. hypothesis, research design, theory, data Feedback FEEDBACK: The Theory-Data Cycle — The Theory-Data Cycle involves generating a research design from a theory, developing a hypothesis, and collecting data to test that hypothesis. The correct answer is: theory, research design, hypothesis, data Question 4 Correct Mark 1.00 out of 1.00 Flag question Question text Which of the following characteristics sets scientific journals apart from magazines? Select one: a. They have multiple contributors. b. They are peer-reviewed. c. They come out periodically, usually once a month. d. They have editors. Feedback FEEDBACK: The Peer Review Cycle — While a magazine has an editor, articles and information aren’t subject to scrutiny by experts in the field before publication. The correct answer is: They are peer-reviewed. Question 5 Correct Mark 1.00 out of 1.00 Flag question Question text Which of the following is true of publishing in the field of psychology? Select one: a. Studies with obvious flaws often are included in scientific journals. b. Publishing in scientific journals is not a rigorous process. c. Publishing in psychology involves a peer-review process. d. Findings must be published in the popular press. Feedback FEEDBACK: The Peer-Review Cycle — The peer-review process in the field of psychology is rigorous and keeps obviously flawed studies from being included in scientific journals. The correct answer is: Publishing in psychology involves a peer-review process. Question 6 Incorrect Mark 0.00 out of 1.00 Flag question Question text Franchesca read about Elliot et al.'s (2007) study in which students scored lower on a cognitive test when the test had a red booklet cover. Franchesca is interested in the idea that the color red influences the perception of caution. Franchesca decides to conduct a similar study in which she has students rate themselves on several achievement-related characteristics, including critical reasoning skills, vocabulary, and math ability. Like the original study, the students write their self-ratings in booklets of either red, green, or white color. Franchesca predicts that, in line with the original study, students with red booklets would rate themselves lower than students with white or green booklets. Franchesca runs the study and finds that the results match her prediction.Franchesca writes up her experiment and submits it to a journal to be published. What is this process called? Select one: a. the theory-data cycle b. applied research c. journal-to-journalism d. the peer-review process Feedback FEEDBACK: The Peer-Review Cycle — She is starting the process of telling the scientific world about her findings. The correct answer is: the peer-review process Question 7 Incorrect Mark 0.00 out of 1.00 Flag question Question text What type of research is done with a practical problem in mind? Select one: a. basic research b. translational research c. exploratory research d. applied research Feedback FEEDBACK: The Basic-Applied Research Cycle — Basic research is intended to enhance the general body of knowledge and translational research bridges between basic research and applications, while applied research starts out with a particular problem in mind. The correct answer is: applied research Question 8 Incorrect Mark 0.00 out of 1.00 Flag question Question text Daniel's teacher tells him that his theory about dating is not strong because it is not falsifiable. What does she mean? Select one: a. Daniel’s theory has already been tested, and the evidence did not support the theory. b. Daniel's theory is too complicated. c. Daniel’s theory has already been put forth by another psychologist. d. Daniel's theory cannot be disproven. Feedback FEEDBACK: What Makes a Good Theory — Good theories are falsifiable, meaning that they can be disproven. The correct answer is: Daniel's theory cannot be disproven. Question 9 Correct Mark 1.00 out of 1.00 Flag question Question text Franchesca read about Elliot et al.'s (2007) study in which students scored lower on a cognitive test when the test had a red booklet cover. Franchesca is interested in the idea that the color red influences the perception of caution. Franchesca decides to conduct a similar study in which she has students rate themselves on several achievement-related characteristics, including critical reasoning skills, vocabulary, and math ability. Like the original study, the students write their self-ratings in booklets of either red, green, or white color. Franchesca predicts that, in line with the original study, students with red booklets would rate themselves lower than students with white or green booklets. Franchesca runs the study and finds that the results match her prediction.The data matched Franchesca's prediction. What conclusion can Franchesca make? Select one: a. The theory is false. b. The theory has been proven. c. The theory is true. d. The data support the theory. Feedback FEEDBACK: The Theory-Data Cycle — Theories cannot be proven. Her data supports the theory. The correct answer is: The data support the theory. Question 10 Correct Mark 1.00 out of 1.00 Flag question Question text What is one way to avoid being misled by journalism reports on scientific research? Select one: a. Consult the source of the article — the original scientific findings. b. Don't believe anything you read in journalism reports — assume the journalist's report is completely wrong. c. Use your own gut feeling to decide whether what you read in a popular press article is true. d. Accept that everything you read in a popular press article is true. Feedback FEEDBACK: The Peer-Review Cycle — Consulting the original scientific findings is a good way to avoid being misled by journalism reports. The correct answer is: Consult the source of the article — the original scientific findings. Question 11 Correct Mark 1.00 out of 1.00 Flag question Question text Psychological scientists base their conclusions on the evidence. They collect data and use it to develop, support, or challenge a theory. This approach is known as ____________. Select one: a. empiricism b. the peer-review process c. parsimony d. falsifiability Feedback FEEDBACK: Psychology Is a Way of Thinking — As empiricists, psychologists know what they know because they have conducted studies on people and animals acting in natural environments or in specially designed situations. The correct answer is: empiricism Question 12 Incorrect Mark 0.00 out of 1.00 Flag question Question text Which of the following is true of the research process? Select one: a. Researchers rarely stop at one study — they usually follow up on findings with additional studies. b. A single study can debunk a theory if the data is inconsistent. c. If a research study's findings are consistent with the theory, that is proof that the theory is valid. d. Only one study is needed to be confident about a research finding. Feedback FEEDBACK: The Theory-Data Cycle — A single study is not sufficient to disprove or prove a theory. Generally many studies are done to support or disprove a theory. The correct answer is: Researchers rarely stop at one study — they usually follow up on findings with additional studies. Question 13 Incorrect Mark 0.00 out of 1.00 Flag question Question text Franchesca read about Elliot et al.'s (2007) study in which students scored lower on a cognitive test when the test had a red booklet cover. Franchesca is interested in the idea that the color red influences the perception of caution. Franchesca decides to conduct a similar study in which she has students rate themselves on several achievement-related characteristics, including critical reasoning skills, vocabulary, and math ability. Like the original study, the students write their self-ratings in booklets of either red, green, or white color. Franchesca predicts that, in line with the original study, students with red booklets would rate themselves lower than students with white or green booklets. Franchesca runs the study and finds that the results match her prediction.Franchesca's process of conducting a study to evaluate whether the influence of the color red extends to self-ratings can best be described as which of the following? Select one: a. journal-to-journalism b. the peer-review process c. applied research d. the theory-data cycle Feedback FEEDBACK: The Theory-Data Cycle — Her findings add further support to the theory. The correct answer is: the theory-data cycle Question 14 Incorrect Mark 0.00 out of 1.00 Flag question Question text All other things being equal, the simplest solution is the best. Which principle does this describe? Select one: a. weight of the evidence b. translational research c. parsimony d. evidence-based treatment Feedback FEEDBACK: What Makes a Good Theory — This is the definition of parsimony. The correct answer is: parsimony Question 15 Correct Mark 1.00 out of 1.00 Flag question Question text Some theories are better than others. Which of the following is NOT considered a feature of a good theory? Select one: a. The theory is falsifiable. b. The theory is parsimonious. c. The theory is supported by the data. d. The theory makes sense intuitively. Feedback FEEDBACK: What Makes a Good Theory? — Good theories are falsifiable, parsimonious, and supported by the data. The correct answer is: The theory makes sense intuitively. Question 16 Incorrect Mark 0.00 out of 1.00 Flag question Question text Seligman (1975, 1991) proposed that animals who cannot escape an aversive outcome don't even try to avoid the aversive experience later, when they can escape it, because they don't perceive themselves as having control (learned helplessness). Latecia thinks this concept may apply to people's working conditions. She conducts a study and has 20 research participants work in an office space with some dilapidated supplies (e.g., pens that barely write, crumpled papers). The participants are split into two rooms. In one work room, Latecia offers to replace any of the run-down supplies with newer items. In another work room, Latecia tells the participants that they have to work with what they have. After a few days of working with this set-up, both groups' work spaces now include both the old supplies as well as new supplies. Latecia predicts that the participants who had to work with the dilapidated supplies for the first few days of the study will continue to use the less functional supplies on the last day, even when there are new supplies available in the room.Seligman's proposal that animals who cannot escape an aversive outcome don't even try to avoid the aversive experience later, when they can escape it, because they don't perceive themselves as having control would best be described as which of the following? Select one: a. a law b. a hypothesis c. a theory d. data Feedback FEEDBACK: The Theory-Data Cycle — Seligman’s work is a theory as it is supported by data, is falsifiable, and is parsimonious. The correct answer is: a theory Question 17 Incorrect Mark 0.00 out of 1.00 Flag question Question text A statement, or set of statements, that describes general principles about how variables relate to one another is a ________________. Select one: a. prediction b. set of observations c. theory d. hypothesis Feedback FEEDBACK: Theory, Prediction, and Data — This is the definition of theory. The correct answer is: theory Question 18 Correct Mark 1.00 out of 1.00 Flag question Question text Franchesca read about Elliot et al.'s (2007) study in which students scored lower on a cognitive test when the test had a red booklet cover. Franchesca is interested in the idea that the color red influences the perception of caution. Franchesca decides to conduct a similar study in which she has students rate themselves on several achievement-related characteristics, including critical reasoning skills, vocabulary, and math ability. Like the original study, the students write their self-ratings in booklets of either red, green, or white color. Franchesca predicts that, in line with the original study, students with red booklets would rate themselves lower than students with white or green booklets. Franchesca runs the study and finds that the results match her prediction.Which of the following is the data in this study? Select one: a. the self-ratings of the students b. the number of students in the study c. the statement that the color red influences the perception of caution d. the prediction that students with red booklets would rate themselves lower Feedback FEEDBACK: Theory, Prediction, and Data — These are her set of observations to check her predictions. The correct answer is: the self-ratings of the students Question 19 Incorrect Mark 0.00 out of 1.00 Flag question Question text Which of the following could be considered a source of empirical evidence? Select one: a. common sense b. a logical argument c. a thermometer d. an expert opinion Feedback FEEDBACK: The Theory Data Cycle — Only the thermometer could be used to produce empirical data. The correct answer is: a thermometer Question 20 Correct Mark 1.00 out of 1.00 Flag question Question text After reading about Harlow’s contact comfort theory, Dr. Borden wonders if these findings would apply to touch and cuddling speeding up weight gain in premature babies in the neonatal intensive care unit. He designs a study to test this idea. What type of research is Dr. Borden’s study? Select one: a. applied research b. basic research c. translational research d. predictive research Feedback FEEDBACK: The Basic Applied Research Cycle — Since Dr. Borden’s research is connecting Harlow’s basic research to an application, it is translational. The correct answer is: translational research Question 21 Incorrect Mark 0.00 out of 1.00 Flag question Question text Seligman (1975, 1991) proposed that animals who cannot escape an aversive outcome don't even try to avoid the aversive experience later, when they can escape it, because they don't perceive themselves as having control (learned helplessness). Latecia thinks this concept may apply to people's working conditions. She conducts a study and has 20 research participants work in an office space with some dilapidated supplies (e.g., pens that barely write, crumpled papers). The participants are split into two rooms. In one work room, Latecia offers to replace any of the run-down supplies with newer items. In another work room, Latecia tells the participants that they have to work with what they have. After a few days of working with this set-up, both groups' work spaces now include both the old supplies as well as new supplies. Latecia predicts that the participants who had to work with the dilapidated supplies for the first few days of the study will continue to use the less functional supplies on the last day, even when there are new supplies available in the room.Latecia's prediction that the participants who had to work with the dilapidated supplies for the first few days of the study will continue to use the less functional supplies on the last day would best be described as which of the following? Select one: a. data b. a law c. a theory d. a hypothesis Feedback FEEDBACK: The Theory-Data Cycle — She is hypothesizing when she makes her prediction. The correct answer is: a hypothesis Question 22 Correct Mark 1.00 out of 1.00 Flag question Question text Which of the following is an example of basic research? Select one: a. a study investigating the effectiveness of a new treatment for depression b. a study investigating whether children of divorced parents are more likely to be divorced themselves c. a study investigating whether children learn more quickly with a new instructional method d. a study investigating whether a memory-enhancing strategy found to improve recall in the lab also helps third graders learn multiplication Feedback FEEDBACK: The Basic-Applied Research Cycle — This study doesn’t have any direct application to inform real world practice. The correct answer is: a study investigating whether children of divorced parents are more likely to be divorced themselves Question 23 Correct Mark 1.00 out of 1.00 Flag question Question text Research done specifically to add to our general understanding of psychology is known as ______________. Select one: a. applied research b. translational research c. basic research d. quantitative research Feedback FEEDBACK: The Basic-Applied Research Cycle — This is the definition of basic research. The correct answer is: basic research Question 24 Correct Mark 1.00 out of 1.00 Flag question Question text Dimitri is interested in understanding the effects of sleep deprivation on short-term memory. Which of the following is an empirical approach Dimitri could take to answer this question? Select one: a. ask his psychology teacher for his opinion on the effects of sleep deprivation on short-term memory b. watch several movies about sleep deprivation and make a strong, logical argument about the effects of sleep deprivation on short-term memory, based on the films c. consider his own experiences with sleep and memory d. design and execute a study which measures short-term memory function following different amounts of sleep Feedback FEEDBACK: Theory, Prediction, and Data — Empiricism involves collecting data to develop, support, or challenge a theory. The correct answer is: design and execute a study which measures short- term memory function following different amounts of sleep Question 25 Incorrect Mark 0.00 out of 1.00 Flag question Question text Which of the following is primarily a consumer of research information? Select one: a. systems analyst b. marriage and family counselor c. biochemist d. economist Feedback FEEDBACK: Information Producers, Information Consumers — While it is possible for a marriage and family counselor to be a producer of research, it isn’t common. The correct answer is: marriage and family counselor