Objective 2 The principles that define the biological level of analysis can be demonstrated in research through a variety of ways.

. One of these ways is through the formation of theories based on research to help guide and explain psychological findings. Psychological studies are the other main way, and they involve the collection of data to support or disprove findings. A theory is defined as a systematic exploration of a phenomenon o It is an organized system of assumptions and principles that purports to explain a specified set of phenomena and their interrelationships. o Theories help psychologists present their findings and ideas by showing the main meanings behind a set of research as well as tying it in together to convey a common idea. o Theories are important because they allow for other psychologists to evaluate anothers conclusions from his or her research and also suggest alternate theories that may indeed be better suited as explanations of aspects of human behavior and biological processes o Theories are used by scientists also as a basis to develop hypotheses, which are specific, testable predictions o Theories can be evaluated through additional research and data collected in studies through the scientific method. Another way for psychologists to demonstrate research is through psychological studies. o Psychological studies are necessary in psychological research because they provide raw data based upon manipulations of the independent variable or observations done by the researcher o This raw data can be utilized in many ways, particularly through the formation of theories based upon the data received as well as making conclusions from the findings and using those to either support or disprove existing psychological theories. o Although studies can come in a variety of forms, each type is best used in different cases. Studies must also be reliable and as unbiased as possible to make it be of higher quality.

o The four factors that help test the quality of a psychological study are reliability (consistency of results), norms (established standards of performance), standards (uniform procedures), and validity (ability of design to test for manipulations of independent variable). Although both theories and case studies are used heavily to demonstrate the principles of biological psychology, a psychologist decides upon which one to use based upon his or her goals and the amount of information available. Although one or the other are sometimes used by themselves, most of the time both are utilized because of the fact that they build upon one another in proving or disproving ideas and findings about biological psychology. They rely upon one another for evaluation and further testing and validation. The use of more advanced technology and brain imaging helps with gathering better data and thus having better ability to evaluate theories and test hypotheses in many other ways.