Understanding Psychology (10th Ed)

C H A P T E R 2
Psychological Research 30
M O D U L E 4
The Scientifi c Method 33
Theories: Specifying Broad Explanations 34
Hypotheses: Crafting Testable Predictions 35
M O D U L E 5
Conducting Psychological Research 37
Archival Research 37
Naturalistic Observation 37
Survey Research 38
The Case Study 38
Correlational Research 39
Experimental Research 41
APPLYING PSYCHOLOGY IN THE 21st CENTURY:
Testing the Value of Self-Affi
rmations: 
Am I Lovable Because I Tell Myself I’m Lovable? 47
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Contents
M O D U L E 6
Critical Research Issues 49
The Ethics of Research 49
EXPLORING DIVERSITY:
Choosing Participants Who Represent 
the Scope of Human Behavior 50
NEUROSCIENCE IN YOUR LIFE:
The Importance of Using 
Representative Participants 51
Should Animals Be Used in Research? 52
Threats to Experimental Validity: Avoiding Experimental Bias 53
BECOMING AN INFORMED CONSUMER OF PSYCHOLOGY:
Thinking Critically About Research 54
C H A P T E R 3
Neuroscience and Behavior 58
M O D U L E 7
Neurons: The Basic Elements of Behavior 61
The Structure of the Neuron 61
How Neurons Fire 62
Where Neurons Meet: Bridging the Gap 65
Neurotransmitters: Multitalented Chemical Couriers 66
M O D U L E 8
The Nervous System and the Endocrine System: 
Communicating Within the Body 70
The Nervous System: Linking Neurons 70
The Evolutionary Foundations of the Nervous System 73
The Endocrine System: Of Chemicals and Glands 75
M O D U L E 9
The Brain 79
Studying the Brain’s Structure and Functions: Spying on the Brain 79
The Central Core: Our “Old Brain” 81