The document discusses the scientific principles and methods used in psychological research. It explains that psychologists formulate hypotheses and conduct research experiments to test their hypotheses. They analyze results to draw conclusions and build theories, defining concepts operationally. Researchers measure behavior through self-reports, observation, tests, and physiological responses. Strict ethical guidelines are followed regarding informed consent, privacy, deception, risks to participants, and humane treatment of animals.

1. Psychology: An Introduction 12/e - Charles G. Morris & Albert A. Maisto
(c) 2005 Prentice Hall
Studying Behavior
Scientifically
Chapter 2

2. Psychology: An Introduction 12/e - Charles G. Morris & Albert A. Maisto
(c) 2005 Prentice Hall
Scientific Principles in
Psychology
 Identifying a question of interest
 Formulating a tentative explanation
and a testable hypothesis
 Conducting research to test the
hypothesis
 Building a body of research, and
developing and testing theories

3. Psychology: An Introduction 12/e - Charles G. Morris & Albert A. Maisto
(c) 2005 Prentice Hall
 Analyzing the date, drawing a tentative
conclusion, and reporting one’s findings to
the scientific community

4. Psychology: An Introduction 12/e - Charles G. Morris & Albert A. Maisto
(c) 2005 Prentice Hall
How do we judge and
explain behaviors
 In everyday life, we typically use
hindsight to explain behavior.
Hindsight is flawed because there may
be many possible explanations and no
way to assess which is correct.
Psychologists prefer to test their
understanding through prediction,
control and theory building

5. Psychology: An Introduction 12/e - Charles G. Morris & Albert A. Maisto
(c) 2005 Prentice Hall
What makes a good
theory
 A good theory organizes:
 known facts,
 gives rise to additional hypotheses
that are testable,
 is supported by the findings of new
research,
 and is parsimonious.

6. Psychology: An Introduction 12/e - Charles G. Morris & Albert A. Maisto
(c) 2005 Prentice Hall
What is an Operational
definition
 An Operational definition defines a
concept or variable in terms of the
specific procedures used to produce or
measure it

7. Psychology: An Introduction 12/e - Charles G. Morris & Albert A. Maisto
(c) 2005 Prentice Hall
How do Psychologists
measure behavior
 To measure behavior, psychologists:
 obtain people’s self-reports and
reports from others who know the
participants,
 directly observe behavior,
 use unobtrusive measures,

8. Psychology: An Introduction 12/e - Charles G. Morris & Albert A. Maisto
(c) 2005 Prentice Hall
 analyze archival date, administer
psychological tests,
 and measure physiological responses

9. Psychology: An Introduction 12/e - Charles G. Morris & Albert A. Maisto
(c) 2005 Prentice Hall
Ethics of Psychological
research
 Psychological researchers follow
extensive ethical guidelines.
 In human research, key standards
include:
 obtaining informed consent,
 ensuring the participants ‘right to
privacy,
 and minimizing the use of deception

10. Psychology: An Introduction 12/e - Charles G. Morris & Albert A. Maisto
(c) 2005 Prentice Hall
 minimizing potential risks to
participants

11. Psychology: An Introduction 12/e - Charles G. Morris & Albert A. Maisto
(c) 2005 Prentice Hall
 In animal research, key standards include:
 animals must be treated humanely,
 the risks to which they are exposed must be
justified by the potential importance of the
research

12. Psychology: An Introduction 12/e - Charles G. Morris & Albert A. Maisto
(c) 2005 Prentice Hall
 Before human or animal research can
be conducted, it must be approved by
ethics review boards

13. Psychology: An Introduction 12/e - Charles G. Morris & Albert A. Maisto
(c) 2005 Prentice Hall
Ethics in Research on
Humans
 Participants must be informed of
nature of research
 Informed consent should be
documented
 Risks and limits on confidentiality must
be explained

14. Psychology: An Introduction 12/e - Charles G. Morris & Albert A. Maisto
(c) 2005 Prentice Hall
Ethics in Research on
Humans
 If participation is a course requirement
in an academic setting, alternative
activities must be offered
 Deception cannot be used about
aspects of research that would affect
participant's willingness to participate
 Deception about the goals of research
used only when absolutely necessary

15. Psychology: An Introduction 12/e - Charles G. Morris & Albert A. Maisto
(c) 2005 Prentice Hall
Ethics in Research on
Animals
 Psychologists using animals must
ensure “appropriate consideration of
the animal’s comfort, health, and
human treatment”
 Animals must not be exposed to pain,
stress, or privation when alternative
procedures are available