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Jun 20, 2011 · Psychology is the science of mental behavior and the human mind, and the professional application of such knowledge toward the greater good. This definition contains several key elements...
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Psychology is a uniquely diverse discipline, ranging from biological aspects of behaviour to social psychology, and from basic research to various applied professional fields, such as clinical and counselling psychology, educational and school psychology, industrial/organizational and occupational psychology, and forensic and criminological ...
- Rizky Farandi
Introduction to Psychology, Objectives, Goals Define psychology. Explain Psychology as a Science. Elucidate the characteristics of Science. Describe the nature and characteristics of behaviour. Explain ‘Pseudo-Psychology’. Identify the tasks of Psychology. 1.2 PSYCHOLOGY: ITS ORIGIN AND EVOLUTION
Dec 31, 2016 · The purpose of this first chapter is to provide an outline of stress, stress definitions, the response to stress and neuroendocrine mechanisms involved, and stress consequences such as anxiety...
- Scientific Tools
- Problem
- Hypothesis
- Reasoning
- Testing
- THEORY: A SCIENTIFIC CONCEPT
- COMPONENTS OF THEORY
- Concepts and Constructs
- Assumptions and Generalizations
- TYPES OF QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
- Experimental and Nonexperimental (or Ex Post Facto) Research
- Descriptive Research
- SUMMARY
- CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING
Researchers use statistics as a tool to test their observations and findings. Inferential statistics provide a mathematical way to see if the results are likely a function of chance. Did these results of this experiment occur by chance, or is some systematic influence producing the outcomes? That is the question that inferential statistics answer. ...
A problem, obstacle, or new idea triggers the reflective process of inquiry (see “Elements of a Proposal,” Appendix A). This stage of the approach is often filled with struggle and angst; the individual grapples with a dificulty, which may be vague and sketchy at best, as an attempt is made to understand the issues and complexities at hand. Just wh...
After conceptualizing the problem, the scientist proposes provisional answers to the question. In the process of generating answers, scientists draw on their knowledge, experience, observations, and imagination to formulate tentative responses to the issues. A possible solution to the puzzle is their hypothesis—a conjectural statement that indicate...
At this stage of the process, the scientist deduces the consequences of the hypotheses. What are the outcomes and implications if this hypothesis is true? At an informal level, the process demonstrates how ongoing experience leads to re-approximations of answers through inquiry. The process of deduction often leads to a reformulation of the problem...
The next phase of the process involves making observations, testing, and experimenting; this is the systematic, controlled side of science. Once the problem has been clearly stated, the hypotheses formulated, and the consequences of the hypotheses carefully examined, then the next step is to test the hypotheses. This testing phase involves making o...
Theory is one of those words that makes many people uncomfortable, largely because of their misconceptions of the term. Much of the skepticism about theory is based on the assumption that education in general, and educational administration in particular, is art, not science, a skepticism that has plagued all social sciences. Theory in the natural ...
The nature of theory can be better understood by looking at the meanings of each of the components of theory and how they are related to one another.
The terms concept and construct are often used interchangeably. Sociologists are more apt to use concept, whereas psychologists typically favor the word construct. Both refer to a term that has been given an abstract, generalized meaning. A few examples of concepts in sociology are status, social system, stratification, social structure, and cultur...
An assumption is a statement that is taken for granted or accepted as true. Assumptions accepted without proof are often, but not necessarily, self-evident. For example, consider the following assumptions: There is no one best way to teach. All ways of teaching are not equally effective. The first assumption challenges the conventional idea that th...
There are different types of research; for example, we have already distinguished between quantitative and qualitative research. We turn to some of the common distinctions of quantitative research that are found in the literature.
One useful distinction for our purposes is to differentiate between experimental and nonexperimental (or ex post facto) research. Many people think that all quantitative research is experimental. Not true! In fact, most research in education, and in the behavioral and social sciences for that matter, is nonexperimental research. Experimental resear...
Descriptive research is another phrase that is used to characterize inquiry in the social sciences. It is a term that I typically avoid because it has several connotations, one of which is not really research. Research always should involve examining relations between at least two variables. Yet, many “researchers” simply use statistics to describe...
This chapter provides an overview of the nature of research and science. The following propositions are key: This text is an analysis of quantitative research; our concern is with reflective inquiry, a scientific approach to understanding. Our perspective emphasizes objectivity, empirical data, and theory—a system of concepts, assumptions, and prop...
Discuss the similarities and differences between “common sense” and “reflective inquiry.” In which do you have more confidence and why? Describe an objective measure of organizational structure. What makes the measure objective? To what extent is subjectivity involved in your measure? Discuss the differences among deduction, induction, and abductio...
A metatheoretical definition highlights the core ideas underlying common personality concepts and opens new avenues for conceptual integration. Conceptual integrations presuppose clear definitions of basic terms and concepts.
Aug 15, 2024 · This free psychology textbook is available as a PDF download, or you can buy a print edition. It is designed for a one-semester introductory course for beginners in psychology. Like many OpenStax books, you can also download supplemental materials for teachers or students.
