WGU C180 Study Guide | 260 Questions with 100% Correct Answers | Verified | Latest Update | 47 Pages

What do psychologists study? - • Biological Foundations • Mental Life • Change • Self and Others • Potential and Dysfunction What is the scientific method and how is it applied to psychological research? - The scientific method is the set of assumptions, rules, and procedures scientists use to conduct research. In addition to requiring that science is verifiable, the scientific method demands that procedures are free of personal bias. What is the definition of a hypothesis? - A specific and falsifiable prediction about the relationship between two or more variables. What is an operational definition? Provide an example. - An operational definition refers to a precise statement of how a conceptual variable ( abstract idea that form the basis of research hypotheses ) which is turned into a measured variable ( varialbes consisting of numbers that represent the conceptual variables ) (Conceptual Variable) Depression - (operational definition) Number of negative words used in a creative story; number of appointments made with a psychotherapist2 Why are ethical guidelines needed within psychological research? - These are needed with psychological research is the prevent physical and/or emotional harm to the participants. What are the various research methods in the field of psychology? - Descriptive Research Correlational Research Experimental Research What is descriptive research? - research designed to provide a snapshot of the current state of affairs