Explaining Behavior04/20/23

1Copyright Ed Lipinski and Mesa Community College, 2004-2009. All rights reserved.

General HousekeepingAssignmentsLesson ObjectiveEd’s Overview / DiscussionQuestions.

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“... to review how psychologists explain human behavior”

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I. Cyclical Process of Behavioral Research

II. Causes of Behavior III. Explaining Behavior IV. Methods of InquiryV. The Research Process.

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Theory•An Idea•Systematic•Explanation.

Hypothesis•Specific•Testable•Empirical•Predictable•Derived•Test Hypothesis•Null Hypothesis.

Data•Measurement•Predefined•Illustrative.

Analysis•Statistics•Conclusion•Inference.

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Theory•An Idea•Systematic•Explanation

Hypothesis•Specific•Testable•Empirical•Predictable•Derived•Test Hypothesis•Null Hypothesis

Data•Measurement•Predefined•Illustrative

Analysis•Statistics•Conclusion•Inference

Tied Back To Theory

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Theory•Vitamins•BBMV.

Hypothesis•H1:Score Higher•Ho:No Change

Data•Measurement

Analysis•T-test•Decision•Inference.

Tied Back To Theory

•Experimental•Control.

•Test Scores.

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Theory Hypothesis Data Analysis

Tied Back To Theory

Idea Refined Analyzed =

A. Non-Scientific ThoughtBystander Effect“Explanations”

B. Scientific MethodAvoid Untested ExplanationsAbandon The InformalScientific Testable ResearchEmpirical Observations.

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A. Scientific ExplanationsEmpiricalRationalTestableParsimonious

(Fewest Assumptions)GeneralTentativeRigorously Evaluated.

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B. “Commonsense”Everyone Is a PsychologistBelief Based Explanations

C. When Science FailsInterferencePseudoexplanations.

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A. Method of AuthorityExpert SourcesNot Enough

B. The Rational MethodEstablish DoubtSearch For TruthLogical Reasoning.

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C. The Scientific MethodObserving PhenomenonFormulating ExplanationsFurther Observing and ExperimentingRefining and Retesting

D. Science As An Attitude.

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A. The Steps of the Research ProcessDeveloping HypothesisChoosing a Research DesignChoosing Research ParticipantsGaining Institutional ApprovalObservation and MeasuresConducting The StudyAnalyzing ResultsReporting ResultsThe Cycle.

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Cyclical Process of Behavioral ResearchCauses of BehaviorExplaining BehaviorMethods of InquiryThe Research Process.

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Questions