CHAPTER 2

Learning Objectives
On completion of this chapter, students should be able to
2.1 identify heuristics and biases that prevent us from thinking scientifically about psychology (text
p. 48);
2.2 describe the advantages and disadvantages of using naturalistic observation, case studies, self-
report measures, and surveys (text p. 52);
2.3 describe the role of correlational designs and distinguish correlation from causation (text p. 58);
2.4 identify the components of an experiment and the potential pitfalls that can lead to faulty
conclusions (text p. 63);
2.5 explain the ethical obligations of researchers toward their research participants (text p. 70);
2.6 describe both sides of the debate on the use of animals as research subjects (text p. 71);
2.7 identify uses of various measures of central tendency and variability (text p. 73);
2.8 explain how inferential statistics can help us to determine whether we can generalize from our
sample to the full population (text p. 74);
2.9 show how statistics can be misused for purposes of persuasion (text p. 75);
2.10 identify flaws in research designs (text p. 77);
2.11 identify skills for evaluating psychological claims in the popular media (text p. 78);
2.12 analyze the scientific support for and against extrasensory perception (ESP) (text p. 80).