Page 113 - Foundations of Cognitive Psychology : Core Readings

116 Daniel J. Levitin

systematic biases that could influence descriptions (goal 1). By studying a
phenomenon,one frequently develops the ability to predict certain behaviors or
outcomes (goal 2),although prediction is possible without an understanding
of underlying causes (we’ll look at some examples in a moment). Controlled
experiments are one tool that scientists use to reveal underlying causes so that
they can advance from merely predicting behavior to understanding the cause
of behavior (goal 3). Explaining behavior (goal 4) requires more than just a
knowledge of causes; it requires a detailed understanding of the mechanisms
by which the causal factors perform their functions.
To illustrate the distinction between the four goals of scientific research,con-
sider the history of astronomy. The earliest astronomers were able to describe
the positions and motions of the stars in the heavens,although they had no
ability to predict where a given body would appear in the sky at a future date.
Through careful observations and documentation,later astronomers became
quite skillful at predicting planetary and stellar motion,although they lacked an
understanding of the underlying factors that caused this motion. Newton’s laws
of motion and Einstein’s special and general theories of relativity,taken to-
gether,showed that gravity and the contour of the space–time continuum cause
the motions we observe. Precisely how gravity and the topology of space–time
accomplish this still remains unclear. Thus,astronomy has advanced to the de-
termination of causes of stellar motion (goal 3),although a full explanation re-
mains elusive. That is,saying that gravity is responsible for astronomical motion
only puts a name on things; it does not tell us how gravity actually works.
As an illustration from behavioral science,one might note that people who
listen to loud music tend to lose their high-frequency hearing (description).
Based on a number of observations,one can predict that individuals with nor-
mal hearing who listen to enough loud music will suffer hearing loss (predic-
tion). A controlled experiment can determine that the loud music is the cause of
the hearing loss (determining causality). Finally,study of the cochlea and basi-
lar membrane,and observation of damage to the delicate hair cells after expo-
sure to high-pressure sound waves,meets the fourth goal (explanation).

6.3 Three Types of Scientific Studies
In science there are three broad classes of studies: controlled studies,correla-
tional studies,and descriptive studies. Often the type of study you will be able
to do is determined by practicality,cost,or ethics,not directly by your own
choice.
6.3.1 Controlled Studies (‘‘True Experiments’’)
In a controlled experiment,the researcher starts with a group of subjects and
randomly assigns them to an experimental condition. The point of random
assignment is to control for extraneous variables that might affect the outcome
of the experiment: variables that are different from the variable(s) being studied.
With random assignment,one can be reasonably certain that any differences
among the experimental groups were caused by the variable(s) manipulated in
the experiment.