Final answer:
In psychology, a hypothesis must be falsifiable, and experiments test these hypotheses. An experiment's results either support or contradict the hypothesis, helping decide its validity. Experiments like those on police prejudice or social norms serve as practical examples.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding Hypotheses and Experiments in Psychology
In the realm of psychology, conducting experiments is a method for testing hypotheses, which are proposed explanations for a phenomenon. A sound hypothesis must be falsifiable, meaning it can be proven wrong by empirical evidence. This concept of falsifiability was an issue with Sigmund Freud's theories, many of which lack empirical tests for potential refutation.
For example, if a student, based on personal experience, hypothesizes that "Eating breakfast before class improves concentration," they could design an experiment with a control to test this statement. Consequently, the subsequent experimental results will either support or contradict the hypothesis. If results are consistently repeatable and align with the hypothesis, it builds more confidence in the hypothesis as a description of reality. In contrast, if results consistently contradict the hypothesis, the scientific response should be to either revise the hypothesis or develop new hypotheses.
Albert's behavior in participating in research contrary to the hypothesized outcomes illustrates a challenge in experiments: participants' bias. Real-life experiments, such as those by Frances Heussenstamm testing police prejudice or Garfinkel's breaching experiments focusing on social norms, must consider participant variability and the influence of awareness of being studied to ensure credible results.