2022-2024 Year 13 A-Level Psychology - Research Methods: Features of a Science
This flashcard set explores the Features of a Science in A-Level Psychology, focusing on the concept of a theory. It helps students understand how theories are developed as explanations for events or phenomena based on systematic observations of the world.
What is a theory?
An explanation for describing a phenomenon or event, based on observations about the world.
Key Terms
What is a theory?
An explanation for describing a phenomenon or event, based on observations about the world.
A theory is a way of explaining an event based on what?
observations about the world
What does theory construction allow us to make and test?
Predictions/hypothesis
Once we have tested our hypothesis. What can this do to the original theory?
Support or refine the theory
What does falsifiable mean?
The ability to prove something wrong
True or False? Falsification is about proving something right.
False It is about proving something wrong
Related Flashcard Decks
Study Tips
- Press F to enter focus mode for distraction-free studying
- Review cards regularly to improve retention
- Try to recall the answer before flipping the card
- Share this deck with friends to study together
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
What is a theory? | An explanation for describing a phenomenon or event, based on observations about the world. |
A theory is a way of explaining an event based on what? | observations about the world |
What does theory construction allow us to make and test? | Predictions/hypothesis |
Once we have tested our hypothesis. What can this do to the original theory? | Support or refine the theory |
What does falsifiable mean? | The ability to prove something wrong |
True or False? Falsification is about proving something right. | False It is about proving something wrong |
Falsification needs which type(s) of hypothesis. | An alternative and a null hypothesis |
What should all hypotheses be? | Testable and falsifiable |
This hypothesis predicts no difference or no correlation | Null hypothesis |
Empirical methods are ones that are not based on … | opinions |
Empirical methods are ones gained through … | direct observation and experiments. |
What is a paradigm? | Where scientific disciplines have a shared set of assumptions and methods. |
Why might Psychology not be a science? | It lacks a universally accepted paradigm |
Name three different paradigms in Psychology | Behaviourism, cognitive approach, psychodynamic approach, biological approach |
Sometimes there is a revolutionary change in the assumptions used in science from an old one to a new one. What is this called? | A paradigm shift |
Scientific disciplines have a shared set if assumptions and methods. What is this called? | A paradigm |
What is a paradigm shift? | Where there is a revolutionary change in scientific assumptions where an old paradigm is replaced with a new one. |
What is replicability? | Repeat the research using the same methods/procedure to check for similar findings. |
Replicating a study can check if findings have which type of validity? | External Validity |
Replicating a study can test a theory to see if we can … | generalise it to the wider population. |
The more we repeat our study the more …… we can become in our results. | confident |
What does our procedure need to be to enable replicability? | Operationalised and detailed |
What does operationalised mean? | Being specific and precise |
If a researcher uses factual measures rather then subjective measures is called … | Objectivity |
Research is not affected by the expectations of the researcher. | Objectivity |
Researcher bias could reduce … | Objectivity |
Brain scans are an example of what type of measures? | Factual/objctive/empirical |
Researchers used a questionnaire in their research. Which features of science could we criticise this with? | Not an empirical method Lacks objectivity |
If we use objective research to study psychology. What can this be criticised for? | Reductionist viewpoint |
If we simplify human behaviour down to simple basic units what might this ignore? | Holisitic approach |
Reductionism neglects… | an holistic approach. |
A holistic approach takes into account …. | culture and socio-economic background. |
One strength of replicating research is that it can lead to … | practical applications |
A psychologist argued much of our behaviour is due to unconscious motives. What feature of science could we criticise this for? | Falsification |
Bandura observed that when children saw an adult be aggressive to a bobo doll they imitated it. Which feature of science does this link to? | Empirical Methods |