PSY 395 MSU Study Guide Questions and
Correct Answers with Complete Solutions |
New Update 2026
Research Producer - ANSWERS They investigate something, collect data, draw
conclusions and publish them.
Research Consumer - ANSWERS takes the information and applies it to
everyday situations (professionally or generally) Note: everyone is a little of both.
What makes psychology a science? - ANSWERS The use of scientific method to
study behavior
What are the four basic canons of science? - ANSWERS 1.Determinism
2.Empiricism 3.Parsimony 4.Testability
Determinism - ANSWERS events have meaningful and systematic causes; they
are not random. They can be predicted, but not with 100% certainty.
What allows us to make theories and is a statement about a causal relationship
between two events? - ANSWERS Determinism (What it does for us)
Empiricism - ANSWERS making systematic observations using the senses or
instruments to assist the senses.
, Parsimony - ANSWERS If we have two competing theories that can explain a
phenomenon, we should use the simpler of the two. (The simplest answer is
usually the right one).
Testability - ANSWERS The ability to realistically test your theory with available
measures. Your theory should be falsifiable.
Positive test bias (Confirmation bias) - ANSWERS the tendency to seek out
information that CONFIRMS our theories and ignore information that might
DISCONFIRM our theory.
Falsifiability - ANSWERS The ability to prove your theory false. Example:
cannot prove that aliens do not exist because there is no available measurement
for this phenomenon.
Belmont Report (Why was it written?) - ANSWERS Written to establish
principles that should guide research with human participants by U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services (1979) used scientists, physicians, philosophers,
ethicists and others.
Belmont Report (What are the three principles?) - ANSWERS 1.Justice,
2.Respect for persons, 3.Beneficience
Justice - ANSWERS Burdens and benefits of research should be distributed
fairly. Need to justify only including one group or not including one group with
demographics (Should randomly assign Ps to placebo and treatment groups).
Correct Answers with Complete Solutions |
New Update 2026
Research Producer - ANSWERS They investigate something, collect data, draw
conclusions and publish them.
Research Consumer - ANSWERS takes the information and applies it to
everyday situations (professionally or generally) Note: everyone is a little of both.
What makes psychology a science? - ANSWERS The use of scientific method to
study behavior
What are the four basic canons of science? - ANSWERS 1.Determinism
2.Empiricism 3.Parsimony 4.Testability
Determinism - ANSWERS events have meaningful and systematic causes; they
are not random. They can be predicted, but not with 100% certainty.
What allows us to make theories and is a statement about a causal relationship
between two events? - ANSWERS Determinism (What it does for us)
Empiricism - ANSWERS making systematic observations using the senses or
instruments to assist the senses.
, Parsimony - ANSWERS If we have two competing theories that can explain a
phenomenon, we should use the simpler of the two. (The simplest answer is
usually the right one).
Testability - ANSWERS The ability to realistically test your theory with available
measures. Your theory should be falsifiable.
Positive test bias (Confirmation bias) - ANSWERS the tendency to seek out
information that CONFIRMS our theories and ignore information that might
DISCONFIRM our theory.
Falsifiability - ANSWERS The ability to prove your theory false. Example:
cannot prove that aliens do not exist because there is no available measurement
for this phenomenon.
Belmont Report (Why was it written?) - ANSWERS Written to establish
principles that should guide research with human participants by U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services (1979) used scientists, physicians, philosophers,
ethicists and others.
Belmont Report (What are the three principles?) - ANSWERS 1.Justice,
2.Respect for persons, 3.Beneficience
Justice - ANSWERS Burdens and benefits of research should be distributed
fairly. Need to justify only including one group or not including one group with
demographics (Should randomly assign Ps to placebo and treatment groups).
