1. Whitley: Chap 1:Beh Science: Theory, Research, Application
Goals, Key values, Scientific approach
Theories
Components, Chars, Purpose, Criteria
Research
Process, Evaluation, Inferences
Theory, Research &Application
Interdependence, Research, & Application
Questions

2. Science: three aspects
Research (knowledge)
Theory (organizes it, -> understanding)
Application of knowledge

3. Goals of Science:
Description
Understanding
Prediction
Control

4. Goals of Science: Description Understanding Prediction Control
Define, differentiate, record, show relationships
Understanding
Hypothesize relationships
Temporal order, other plausible causes
Induce a theory (see Kerlinger)
Prediction
Use theory to hypothesize (GRE -> GPA?)
Control
Skinner: from rats to college students

5. Science: Key values Empiricism: what is it?
Skepticism: skeptical about fusion, ESP?
Tentativeness: women more persuasible?
Publicness: Pons & Fleishman
No replication?

6. Scientific Approaches
Logical positivism: What is it? Or
Humanism
Dogmatism
Dogmatic v. Expert authority
Tenacity
Intuition
Common sense

7. Scientific Process Observe Describe Understand Predict Verify Revise
Control
Empirical observation
Organize observations
Theory
Hypothesize
Test (experiment)
Revise theory
Apply theory / findings

8. Theories Suppositions about how vars are related Components
See Kerlinger definitions
Components
Assumptions (implicit & explicit)
Behavior is goal directed (Locke & Latham)
Paradigms
Blank slate or innate causes?

9. Theory: More Components
Hypothetical Constructs
Concepts -> constructs
(e.g. hostile v. friendly)
Unidimensional (what is one?)
Multidimensional (leadership? )
Muli-faceted (Type A: competitive/hostile)

10. Theory: components con’t
Definitions
Theoretical (narrative)
Operational
Aggression (Buss)
Give examples of narrative and operational

11. Theory Propositions Directional Relations among constructs
Which of Locke & Latham’s is correct
See fig 1-2 p. 15
Causal propositions
IV -> DV
Mediating (comes between IV & DV)
(IV: Goal accept – work motivation –> DV: Perf)
Moderating (change or limit rel between IV & DV)
E.g ability

12. Theory: Characteristics
Specification
How well defined are vars and relationships?
Scope
Broad or narrow
Locke & Lathan (GS for work performance)

13. Theory: Purposes Organize knowledge Extend knowledge
Around general principles
(e.g. reinforcement theory)
Extend knowledge
Modify theory to improve prediction
Convergence of theories:
E.g. attribution and learned helplessness
Guide research and action
Generalize to other settings, populations

14. Theory: Evaluation Criteria (Shaw & Costanzo, ’82)
Logical consistency – among assumptions
Falsifiability – to test theory
Agreement – with known data
Utility – what’s it good for?
For understanding
Stimulating research

15. Research Empirical Library Descriptive, relational, experimental
Theoretical or trial and error
Library
archival
Literature

16. Research Process: Research question Research strategy Data collection
Data analysis / interpretation
Report results / findings

17. Evaluating Research (Campbell & Stanley ’79)
Construct validity
Internal validity
Statistical conclusion validity
External validity

18. Inference Must infer from results Cannot “prove” theory
Always tentative
Will the sun come up tomorrow? What’s the probability?
Probabilistic assertions

19. Theory: Interdependence
Induction and deduction
Research
Theoretical
Applied
Draws from all fields: Clinical, counseling, I/O etc.

20. Summary Goals of science Theory Research steps (five)
understand behavior
Theory
Assumptions, hypothetical constructs, propositions
Research steps (five)
Interdependence of
Theory, research and application