Behavioral Science

Studies important human problems and provides solutions to them through empirical investigations

Empirical Investigations

systematic collection and analysis of data (info collected through formal observation/measurement)

Human Intuition

accepting explanations without testing them; we are often wrong

Scientific Method

a set of rules and procedures for conducting research; objectively utilizing research increases the scientific knowledge base

Basic Research

answers fundamental questions about behavior

Applied Research

investigates issues that have implications for everyday life and provides solutions to everyday problems

Hourglass Model

Abstract Intro Methods Results Discussion References

Research Design

specific method a researcher uses to collect, analyze, and interpret data

Variable

any attribute that can assume different values among different people or across different times or places

Descriptive Design

"snapshot"; answers questions about current state of affairs

Correlational Design

"relationship"; measures relationship between variables

Experimental Design

"causation"; measure effect(s) of a manipulation on a behavior or interest

Naturalistic Design

Pros: ecological validity generalize Cons: no control

Correlational Design

Pros: possible Cons: No causal mechanism

Self-Report Design

Pros: quick and easy Cons: bias

Experimental Design

Pros: control infer causal mechanisms Cons: ecological validity

Converging Operations

use of more than one technique to study the same thing with the hope that all the approaches will produce similar findings

Abstract

Brief summary of the study; get general sense of the study

Introduction

introduces the phenomenon of interest, provides background research for the hypothesis; ID hypothesis, source of related research

Methods

describe mechanics of study, including participants, measures, and procedures; understand design

Results

describes what was found and whether hypothesis were dis/confirmed; use statistics and should include explanations

Discussion

implications and weaknesses of study; understand how study changes understanding of X

Laws

principles that are so general to apply to all situations (describes) ex. all-or-none principle; Thorndike's law of effect

Theory

an integrated set of principles that explains and predicts observed relationships the foundation of science

Inductive Method

getting ideas about the relationship among variables by observing specific facts

Deductive Method

using a theory to generate a research hypothesis

Primary Source

contain complete descriptions of the collected data and data analyses (i.e., empirical articles)

Secondary Sources

contain only summaries or interpretations (i.e., textbooks and books, edited volumes, review articles)

Parsimonious

provides the simplest possible account of those outcomes

Falsifiable

variables can be adequately measured, and the relationships between variables can be shown to be incorrect

Tautological

when it is not falsifiable

Research Hypothesis

a specific and falsifiable prediction regarding the relationship between or among two or more variables

Operational Definition

a precise statement of how a conceptual variable is turned into a measurable variable

Using Existing Research

rapid expansion of field; contributes to body of knowledge

Ethics

rules of behavior based on ideas about what is morally good and bad

Goals of Ethical Research

1. Protecting participants from physical and psychological harm 2. Providing freedom of choice about participating in the research 3. Maintaining awareness of the power differentials 4. Honestly describing the nature and use of the research

Informed Consent (guideline 1)

form explains: research procedure who is conducting the research how results will be used their rights/can stop at any time opportunity to ask questions

Guideline 2

avoid abuse of power respect participants' privacy

Guideline 3

honesty in research descriptions

Debriefing

used "risky" research occurs immediately after the research has ended reduces possibility of psychological harm to participants

Deception

participants are not fully informed about the nature of the research project before participating

Post-Experimental

participants' reactions are assessed participants may be asked to express their thoughts about the research

Suspicion Check

determines if participants believed the experiment was manipulated or guessed the research hypothesis

Process Debriefing

an active attempt to undo any changes that might have occurred it is often impossible to entirely undo the effects of experimental manipulations

Institutional Review Board (IRB)

determines whether proposed research meets required regulations; approval is required for all federally funded research why? independent evaluation of methods and procedures researcher may be too vested to be completely impartial

Guideline 4

- our job as researchers it to be correct and honestly report out results - science is base on truth, and scientists are expected to be truthful in all aspects of their research

Scientific Fraud

occurs when a scientist intentionally alters or fabricates data

Free-Format

allows the participant to indicate whatever thoughts or feelings they have about the topic; no constraints

Fixed-Format

the individual is presented with a set of questions called items; limited responses

Projective Measures

a measure of personality; participant shows an ambiguous image and asked to freely list what come to mind while looking at the image

Associative Lists

- used to measure a variety of variables - participant given names of different groups and asked to list whatever come to mind about the groups - believed to be useful to ascertain what individuals really think about the groups

Think-Aloud Protocols

- used to measure a variety of variables - participant given a task to complete and asked to verbalize their internal dialogue while completing the task - useful in ascertaining an individual's reasoning processes

Scales

fixed-format self-reports that contain more than one item to measure the conceptual variable

Likert Scales

- series of items that assess a participant's opinions/beliefs about the conceptual variable(s) - remember: reverse scoring - beware: acquiescent responding

Semantic Differentials

topic is presented once at the top of the page; items consist of pairs of adjectives located at the two endpoints of a standard response format

Social Desirability

the natural tendency for research participants to present themselves in a positive or socially acceptable way to the researcher

Self-Promotion

occurs when research participants respond in ways that they think will make them look good

Guttman Scale

fixed-format self-report scale in which the items are arranged in a cumulative order such that it is assumed that is a respondent endorses or answers all of the previous scale items