Title EPS_MODULE 1 (a).pdf ✅

EXPERIMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY AND STATISTICS MODULE 1

ASSUMPTIONS OF THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD • Determinism and discoverability • Involves systematic observation, different from direct experience and observation • Reductionistic • Is data-driven • Produces public knowledge • Draws tentative conclusions • Asks answerable questions • Develops theories that can be falsified
ASSUMPTION 1. DETERMINISM AND DISCOVERABILITY • Human behavior is determined, and all events have cause (determinism). • By using agreed-upon scientific methods, these causes can be discovered with some degree of confidence. (discoverability) • But we can’t always be 100% certain. Psychologists focus on statistical/probabilistic determinism – determining cause and effect – must be greater than chance, but not 100% certain • Behavior follows certain patterns which are predictable. (E.g. Tantrums)