...Statistics, and Psychology Psychology is the scientific investigation of mental processes and behavior (Kowalski & Westen, 2007, p. 3). During the late 19th century, psychology became an actual science because of the fascination of human behavior. Psychologists use observation to measure human behavior better to understand mental and biological processes, motives, and personality traits. Human behavior may be understood through applied and academic science (Psychology Majors, 2011). Based on this, research using the scientific method is necessary for statistical psychology. Early research and use of scientific method in psychology included the works of Edward Titchener. Titchener used structuralism to explore aspects of the mind. Research through this method focused on introspection, or individual conscious experience. Titchener used a table method similar to a chemistry periodic table to study human behavior. Titchener believed experimentation was the only scientific method to use for the study psychology (Northern Illinois University, 2003). A paradigm in psychology is a set of theoretical assertions that provide a model, abstract picture, or object of study (Kowalski & Westen, 2007, p. 11). A paradigm is a set of shared metaphors that compare any object of study through investigation. Many modern psychologists use innovative approaches to study human behavior to support traditional methods of psychology through use of research using the scientific method. According...
Words: 977 - Pages: 4
...Research, Statistics, and Psychology To understand thoroughly something a person must understand its background and conduct research. According to Bing Dictionary (2012), research is an organized way to study something; that can include an investigation to uncover facts, to create a theory or correct a previous one, or to make a plan based upon the discovered facts. A person cannot conduct or make connections in research without the use of statistics. Statistics can be just about any compilation of information on any subject in use with performance, time management, effectiveness, budgeting, and many more. Both research and statistics are important components in psychology. This paper will discuss the role of research and statistics within psychology. Examining what research and the scientific method are, comparing and contrasting the characteristics of primary and secondary data, and explaining the role of statistics within research. Role of Research and Statistics Research is a vital component in just about any field for advancement of a product or idea, especially in psychology. As stated above research is an organized way to study something. Because psychology is a field that tries to understand human thinking and behavior it is necessary that research be a vital component. Research is important to psychology because it provides pertinent information about the way a person may think or behave and forming an idea or opinion as a response from the conducted research. A...
Words: 1053 - Pages: 5
...Fundamentals of Research Methodology The Science of Psychology Although the study of human minds are reveals signals of the order and control for one’s wealthy and diverse accountability. Psychology have differ contemporary concepts with differ significant. Psychology has been described in numerous ways over a short time. One main definition currently used is: Psychology is the method of science that study a person mind for one’s beliefs, thinking, and emotions with this information problem-solving can be knowledgeable. Psychology the science is applied to every areas of an individual life. The practice of psychology is in the areas of one’s life. In details, psychologist will study an individual emotion, how, what, why can one’s do it. The area under discussion material does not identify a discipline as scientific; moderately, the techniques used to study the area under discussion material define a discipline. In psychology, a value is on the dependable and compelling purpose of investigational and connecting events in the compiling of behavioral facts. So, of course, individuals can be deliberate methodically researched. Starting a century ago psychological research has made available an important tool of technical and matter-of-fact understanding about one’s type. From constructing a method of research whereas still unfinished understanding of the essential function of one’s nervous systems. Another way is to exploring psychology in depths of an individual mental power and traits...
Words: 1518 - Pages: 7
...friend who thinks psychology is all that stuff they see from people like Dr. Phil and others in the media. Based on what you have read in chapter one, how would you convince your friend that psychology is a science? First of all, I will tell you about science. Basically, science refers to a system of getting something (esp. knowledge) based what they call a scientific methods. With scientific method, we can prevent possible biases from leading to faulty observation. Based what I’m studying until now, science allows for precise and careful measurement. Isaac Newton in his book “Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica” , says that scientific method refers to the body of techniques for investigating phenomena, acquiring new knowledge, or correcting and integrating previous knowledge. It is based on gathering observable, empirical and measurable evidence subject to specific principles of reasoning. So, we can also say that a scientific method consist of the data that we get from the observation and experimentation. The data that we get from the scientific method also must be tested whether it is appropriate with hypotheses or not. Therefore, if we get a conclusion through the steps from scientific method, we said it is science. Now, move on to the Psychology. You said that psychology is all that stuff you see from people like Dr. Phil and others in the media. Let me tell you how Dr. Phil deals with psychology. Before that, I will tell you the definition of psychology regarding Saundra...
Words: 660 - Pages: 3
...Cognitive Psychology PSY/360 April 7, 2011 Cognitive Psychology Psychology possesses several branches. One of these branches is cognitive psychology. Like biological psychology, this branch also seeks knowledge that potentially unlocks wonders of the mind. However, cognitive psychology focuses on the mental processes from an internal source not physically apparent. Whereas technology provides efficient methods for which to scan a brain and the activity therein, studying the mind is still yet to uncover mysteries behind thought. Studying the mind involves observation of behavior and of the environment but determining reason for thought in general is still out of reach. Inabilities to determine unobtainable conclusions do not slow the pursuit of knowledge, for the study of conscious thought continues. This paper includes an understanding of what cognitive psychology, as well as information regarding four essential milestones contributing to the development of cognitive psychology. In addition, this paper also focuses on the importance of behavioral observation. Comprehending Cognitive Psychology Cognitive psychology currently focuses on three main human characteristics. The first characteristic is the ability to perceive. Perception is important because this is the process in which an individual interprets the immediate environment as well as changes, situations, and interactions within it. The second characteristic...
Words: 1131 - Pages: 5
...Research, Statistics, and Psychology Research and statistics employ such meaningful roles in psychology whereas without both psychology may not exist. In psychology the importance of research is to help understand human beings and behaviors, but without research questions concerning human beings and behavior would go unanswered. Thoughts and theories concerning human beings and behaviors would go unanswered as well. Using and relying on the scientific method, psychology uses the research and statistics gathered to prove or disprove thoughts and theories. The importance of statistics in psychology is that they help in determining if research findings are not substantive or substantive. Not only do research and statistics play a part in psychology, the roles of the scientific method, primary data, and secondary data contribute as well. Research and the Scientific Method Research is the collection and evaluation of information or data about a particular subject (Nordquist, 2013). Psychology research is about values, variables, and scores. Values are categories or numbers, variables are characteristics or conditions that can have different values, and scores are a particular individual’s value on a variable (Aron, Aron, & Coups, 2009). Psychological processes confirmed by research to occur outside one’s awareness with several associations between behaviors, and feelings, or situations guiding one’s behavior, either unconsciously or implicitly (Kowalski & Westen, 2011). There...
Words: 1034 - Pages: 5
...Cognitive Psychology CandiseDiaz Cognitive Psychology Psychology possesses several branches. One of these branches is cognitive psychology. Like biological psychology, this branch also seeks knowledge that potentially unlocks wonders of the mind. However, cognitive psychology focuses on the mental processes from an internal source not physically apparent. Whereas technology provides efficient methods for which to scan a brain and the activity therein, studying the mind is still yet to uncover mysteries behind thought. Studying the mind involves observation of behavior and of the environment but determining reason for thought in general is still out of reach. Inabilities to determine unobtainable conclusions do not slow the pursuit of knowledge, for the study of conscious thought continues. This paper includes an understanding of what cognitive psychology, as well as information regarding four essential milestones contributing to the development of cognitive psychology. In addition, this paper also focuses on the importance of behavioral observation. Comprehending Cognitive Psychology Cognitive psychology currently focuses on three main human characteristics. The first characteristic is the...
Words: 1118 - Pages: 5
...The Philosophical Roots of Modern Psychology Aissa Gulbrandsen November 16, 2013 Psych/310 Professor Sharon Cohen Psychology is a relatively young science, just over a hundred years old. Philosophers over the passing centuries formed various theories based on their observations in human behavior. “At the heart of both philosophy and psychology are questions about the nature of knowledge: Is the world an invention of the human mind? Are some methods of gaining knowledge (e.g., scientific methods) more reliable and rational than others? And can we ultimately justify fundamental beliefs concerning such things as the laws of logic, the existence of other minds (in addition to our own), and the durability of causal relationships?” (Fletcher, 1996). The origins of modern psychology have their roots in philosophy harking back to the beginning with the Greeks, and on to the age of enlightenment and into the 19th century. In the 17th century philosophers like Rene Descartes took their observations about human behavior and tried to explain how the mind and body worked. Descartes created a distinction between mind and body. He posited that the mind was in the pineal gland and the body composed...
Words: 876 - Pages: 4
...* Psychology is a relatively new scientific discipline * Was once known as an experimental philosophy * Descartes introduced idea that the brain is not the same as the mind, mind and body are separate entities * John Locke’s concept of empiricism shows that knowledge is derived from sensory experience (senses) * Can be studied using the scientific method Wundt and Introspection: Evaluation: Key behaviourist psychologists: Pavlov & Watson * Unreliable method of investigation * Different participants provide different introspective reports about same stimulus. * Trained in introspection not very useful * Pavlov got reliable, reproducible results in experiments on animals and can be generalised to humans * Can’t study on children and animals due to limited vocab and can’t express feelings properly. * Animal thoughts can’t be studied * Learning, development, mental disorders & personality can’t investigate through introspection – questions validity of using introspection as a method for investigating human behaviour because it’s subjective (only his/her can report mental processes * For Watson, only way to make psychology a science is to emulate natural science and adopt its own objective methods * Psychologists often use it alongside other scientific methods to investigate. Key behaviourist psychologists: Pavlov & Watson * Unreliable method of investigation ...
Words: 2443 - Pages: 10
...Industrial and Organizational Psychology Ronda White Industrial and Organizational Psychology PSY 435 April 2, 2012 Ronald Goodnight Industrial and Organizational Psychology Although industrial and organizational (I/O) psychology is an invention of the 20th century, roots of the profession begin in the late 1800s, and early 1900s with the infancy of psychology itself. These pioneers concerning themselves solely upon the industrial side of the profession had interests in placing into work new principles of psychology to improve efficiency in organization, and job performance. Through this beginning, I/O psychology continues to expand and develop into the psychological discipline it is today. A simple definition or practical applications of I/O psychology are the mere pinnacles in understanding the scope of the discipline. Examining the evolution of I/O psychology, in addition to explaining the role of research and statistics in I/O psychology will reveal the foundation upon which the pinnacles rest (Spector, 2008). Evolution of I/O Psychology The credit for the development of I/O psychology lies with Walter Dill and Hugo Münsterberg. Both individuals were professors and experimental psychologists who began applying principles of psychology to organization’s problems. Münsterberg’s interests in employee selection processes brought about the use of psychological testing. His inability to gain acceptability and respect for his theories at Harvard, or...
Words: 1420 - Pages: 6
...Research, Statistics, & Psychology Psy/315 January 9, 2012 Research, Statistics & Psychology The scientific, objective, and the methodic gathering of information for a theory is research. Statistics is collection of data, interpretation, the analysis, and presentation of the data. Statistical data is the important part to any good research. Psychology, statistics is the method of pursuing the truth (Aron, Aron, & Coup, 2009). The statistics methods is to make sense out of the large amount of data collected during research by psychologists. This paper will explore the role of research and statistics in psychology field. The paper will give the definition of the research and the scientific method, and the characteristics of the primary and secondary data that researcher use to help form an hypothesis. The paper will also explore the role of statistics in research. Research and Scientific Method Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines research has the, “studious inquiry or examination, especially: investigation or experimentation aimed at the discovery and interpretation of facts, revision of accepted theories or laws in the light of new facts, or practical...
Words: 945 - Pages: 4
...Annotated Bibliography Benett, Yates (2011) How Social Science Research Methods Might Provide Scientific Evidence for the Existence of God. Retrieved September 11, 2013 from Christian Higher Education The article by Benett can be misleading. The article discusses the how of using social science research for the intended research for the existence of God. The author goes into detail using the scientific method for sociologic research. Yates states “in social science research it is considered scientific to collect data about the world, to build theories to explain the data and to test those theories against further data” (p. 2). Discussing every part of the scientific method, he gives examples for how he might go about with that that part of the method. Yates also discusses different approaches to the research. Phenomenology is discussed as a method for the study and possible explanation, but is left out. Instead the author decides on methodological triangulation because it allows differing methods of data collection regarding a social issue. The reason why this would be the best method as well as its benefits in social research is discussed. Yates also states that using combined research is extremely beneficial. This article will be useful because it demonstrates using the scientific method for sociologic research. It goes in depth giving example for each part of the method. Boutellier, R., Gassmann, O., Raeder, S. (unknown) What is the difference between...
Words: 2078 - Pages: 9
...Research, Statistics & Psychology Psy 315 April 15, 2013 Research, Statistics & Psychology The role of research and statistics in psychology are key parts for development of the field. Research is studying out the facts and information of a subject/topic to come to an understanding about it. It is done through scientific method, a systematic approach to gathering and “proving” information. Primary and secondary data are two collection methods of resources. Primary data deals directly from the original source whereas secondary data is from a second or third party and is not as reliable. Statistics comes in by expressing results in an understandable, usually visual, way. All these will be discussed herein below. Research Research is an in depth study, with intention of understanding, of, or revision of, facts, theories or laws ("Merriam-Webster", 2013). In turn, research is when one gathers information from numerous sources and learns about the specified / chosen topic until they have a clear knowledge themselves. It’s also used to prove /disprove opinions or hypotheses. Research is most beneficial when done with a systematic approach as it keeps one on track, and organized in their studies. According to Blankenship, there are eight steps to research: identify the problem or questions, review literature, clarify the problem, clearly define terms and concepts, define the population, develop an instrumentation plan, collect data, and analyze the data. These steps...
Words: 865 - Pages: 4
...PSYCHOLOGY—the science that studies behavior and mental processes THEORY—a set of hypothesized statements about the relationship among events PURE RESEARCH—research conducted without concern for immediate applications APPLIED RESEARCH—research conducted in an effort to find solutions to particular problems INTROSPECTION—deliberate looking into one’s own cognitive processes to examine one’s thoughts and feelings STRUCTURALISM—the school of psychology that argues that the mind consists of three basic elements—sensations, feelings and images—that combine to form experience FUNCTIONALISM—the school of psychology that emphasizes the uses or functions of the mind rather than the elements of experience BEHAVIORISM—the school of psychology that defines psychology as the study of observable behavior and studies relationships between stimuli and responses REINFORCEMENT—a stimulus that follows a response and increases the frequency of response GESTALT PSYCHOLOGY—the school of psychology that emphasizes the tendency to organize perceptions into wholes and to integrate separate stimuli into meaningful patterns PSYCHOANALYSIS—the school of psychology that emphasizes the importance of uncontious motives and conflicts as determinants of human behavior BIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE—the approach to psychology that seeks to understand the nature of the links between biological processes and structure such as the functioning of the brain, endocrine system and heredity, on the other hand, and...
Words: 741 - Pages: 3
...Foundations of Psychology PSY 300 August 8, 2011 Teresa Neal Foundations of Psychology The human being is a complex and sometimes mystifying being. Our actions, behaviors, emotions, mannerisms, and functions are all so complicated and sometimes mystifying. Questioning why we do what we do, act the way we do, behave in a certain manner, or react to a situation, even asking these questions in general is the very reason for the study of Psychology. Psychology is the scientific investigation of mental processes and behavior, and as stated in our book, psychology lies in the intersection of biology and culture [ (Kowalski & Westen, 2009) ]. Throughout the journey of psychology there have been many brilliant and ground breaking scientists and psychologists who’ve laid the foundations for what is studied today. Through these journeys many schools of thought and perspectives have been formed into this foundation which we still use today. It is said that Psychology is between biology and culture, it is meaning that biology covers the central nervous system and within that system are the areas with which control many of our mental processes. Culture has a place on the opposite boarder of psychology because how and where we grew up effects the way we are in regard to our behavior and reactions to situations. While Psychology is said to border biology and culture, it is said to be born from philosophy. When Philosophers started looking for more answers in regard to the nature...
Words: 1350 - Pages: 6
