PSYC 2301 Exam 1: Research Methods Questions & Answers(GRADED A)

Scientific method - ANSWER-abstract concept that refers to the ways in which questions are asked and the logic and methods used to gain answers. Two characteristics of the scientific method - ANSWER-empirical approach (using direct observation and experimentation to answer scientific questions) must be falsifiable (unlike Freud) and measured and observed to be scientific psychology -skeptical attitude Historical Context - ANSWER-an empirical approach was critical for the development of the science of psychology -the computer revolution (1960s-1980s) has been a key factor in the shift from behaviorism to cognitive psychology as the dominant theme in psychological inquiry. Transition from philosophy to science - ANSWERHermann von Helmholtz () measured the speed of the neural impulse (90 ft per second) -also contributed to color vision, thermo and audition. -Began the IQ test: measuring speed of performance. Wilhelm Wundt (): physiological psychology: sensation and perception 1879: first "official" psychology lab in Leipzig, Germany and the beginning of psychology as a science. William James (): father of "american" psychology focused on the affects of the environment. Wrote first introductory textbook. Defining Intelligence - ANSWER-Sir Francis Galton (): first attempt to measure intelligence, established correlation coefficient (hereditary but requires environmental support) -Alfred Binet (): Binet-Simon Scale of Intelligence, emphasized intelligence as a complex concept with multiple facets and subject to environment (modern IQ test, measured higher order intelligence) Behaviorism - ANSWER-reaction to psychoanalysis (opposite psychoanalysis) -stresses the observable -all other (feelings etc.) are subjective and cannot be studied in objective science. Ivan Pavlov () - ANSWER-laid groundwork for learning theories But watson really introduced behaviorism (little albert experiment) -classical conditioning (dog experiment) (US meat powder, UR salivation, pair US an