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A researcher has proposed adding a boundary condition to drive theory—restricting it to organisms with highly developed nervous systems—after observing that social facilitation does not occur in cockroaches. Order the following evaluative steps from the one that should be completed FIRST (1) to the one completed LAST (5) when judging whether this modification is scientifically sound.
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Research Methods in Psychology - 4th American Edition @ KPU
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If a researcher finds that their theory of social facilitation works for humans but fails to explain behavior in cockroaches, which action would demonstrate 'modifying' the theory rather than discarding it?
A psychology researcher’s theory predicts that 'Listening to classical music always improves concentration.' However, a new study reveals that for individuals with high musical expertise, the music actually decreases concentration. Match each potential research response to the correct scientific strategy for addressing this new evidence.
A researcher finds that a theory of social facilitation correctly predicts behavior in humans but fails when tested with cockroaches. Arrange the following steps to show how the researcher would logically modify the theory through the addition of a boundary condition rather than discarding it.
When a researcher observes that a theory of social facilitation fails to explain behavior in a specific population like cockroaches, adding a 'boundary condition' to limit the theory's scope is a scientifically sound way to evaluate its utility, rather than an improper attempt to protect a failing theory.
A researcher is tasked with formulating a modified version of a theory which predicted that the presence of others always increases an organism's drive. After discovering that this effect does not occur in cockroaches, which of the following newly constructed theoretical statements represents the most scientifically sound way to create a revision using a 'boundary condition'?
Proposing that a theory of social facilitation is valid but only applicable to organisms with highly developed nervous systems is an example of discarding the theory.
Rather than discarding a theory of social facilitation after observing the phenomenon in cockroaches, a researcher could modify the theory by adding a _____, proposing that the theory is valid but only applicable to organisms with highly developed nervous systems.
Apply the logic of boundary conditions to the following scenarios involving drive theory and social facilitation. Match each research outcome to the most appropriate theoretical response.
When Zajonc proposed that drive theory is valid but applies only to organisms with highly developed nervous systems, this boundary condition works logically by diagnosing the problem as one of _____ in the original theory's domain—claiming too wide a range of applicability—rather than as a fundamental error in the theory's core drive mechanism.
A researcher has proposed adding a boundary condition to drive theory—restricting it to organisms with highly developed nervous systems—after observing that social facilitation does not occur in cockroaches. Order the following evaluative steps from the one that should be completed FIRST (1) to the one completed LAST (5) when judging whether this modification is scientifically sound.
Based on the example of Robert Zajonc's work on social facilitation, explain how a researcher can update rather than completely discard a theory when faced with contradictory findings. Specifically, identify what adjustment Zajonc could have made to drive theory if he had failed to observe social facilitation in cockroaches.
Using the concept of theory modification as demonstrated by Robert Zajonc's work on social facilitation and drive theory, diagnose how the research team can address this failure without discarding the theory. What specific adjustment should they propose, and how does this decision affect the validity of the original theory?
Suppose you are testing a theory of sensory processing and discover that it accurately explains behavior in humans but fails in nematode worms. In 1 to 3 sentences, apply the logic of Zajonc's drive theory modification to write an updated statement of this sensory theory that incorporates an appropriate boundary condition.