Posted: November 24th, 2023

Scientific Understanding of Behavior Chapter 1

Scientific Understanding of Behavior Chapter 1

Learning Objectives:

Describe the importance of research methods.
Contrast the scientific approach to learning about behavior with pseudoscientific research.
Define and provide examples of the four goals of scientific research: description, prediction, determination of cause, and explanation of behavior.
Discuss the elements for inferring causation: temporal order, covariation of cause and effect, and elimination of alternative explanations.
Compare and contrast basic and applied research.
Introduction:
Curiosity about the complexities of human behavior drives students to explore the behavioral sciences. This chapter delves into the methods of scientific research in the behavioral sciences, emphasizing the utility of research methods in comprehending the world around us and addressing fundamental questions.

Importance of Research Methods:
Research findings inundate our lives, influencing decisions ranging from personal health choices to public policy. The ability to critically evaluate research reports becomes crucial as individuals navigate through information about diverse topics. Professions such as mental health, business, and education rely heavily on research, emphasizing the need for a foundational understanding of research methods (Smith et al., 2018; Cook, 2019).

Impact on Public Policy:
Scientific research plays a pivotal role in shaping public policy decisions, as evidenced by landmark cases like Brown v. Board of Education and recent decisions on juvenile justice (Clark & Clark, 1947; Clay, 2010). Behavioral research informs judicial and legislative decisions, highlighting the far-reaching impact of scientific knowledge on societal structures.

Program Development and Assessment:
Research methods are instrumental in developing and assessing the effectiveness of programs designed to achieve specific goals, such as increasing student retention, promoting HIV prevention behaviors, or enhancing stress reduction strategies (Smith & Glass, 1977; Rossi et al., 2004). The ability to determine program success is contingent on a robust understanding of research methods.

Ways of Knowing:
Scientific research stands in contrast to intuition and authority as ways of knowing. While intuition often leads to cognitive biases, authority is insufficient without empirical evidence. Empiricism, the scientific method’s foundation, asserts that knowledge is derived from systematic observations, providing a reliable framework for acquiring accurate information (Fiske & Taylor, 1984; Popper, 2002).

The Scientific Approach:
Scientific inquiry is characterized by a commitment to empirical evidence, adversarial testing of ideas, and peer-reviewed dissemination of research findings (Goodstein, 2000). The scientific method’s objectivity and reliance on data distinguish it as a powerful and self-correcting system that propels advancements in understanding the world (Popper, 2002; Smith et al., 2018).

References:

Clark, K. B., & Clark, M. P. (1947). Racial identification and preference in Negro children. In T. M. Newcomb & E. L. Hartley (Eds.), Readings in social psychology (pp. 267–276). Holt, Rinehart and Winston.
Clay, J. W. (2010). The Supreme Court of the United States: An authoritative history. Oxford University Press.
Goodstein, D. (2000). Why is science a slow mover? In Scientists confront creationism (pp. 65–72). W. W. Norton & Company.
Smith, M. L., Glass, G. V., & Miller, T. I. (2018). The benefits of psychotherapy. Johns Hopkins University Press.

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