Final answer:
Forming a hypothesis in scientific investigation is associated with the goal of predicting because it involves creating testable predictions based on observations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The step of forming a hypothesis in a scientific investigation is derived from the goal of predicting in psychology. A hypothesis is essentially a tentative explanation for a set of observations, which can be tested and potentially falsified through experimentation or further observation.
A well-constructed hypothesis allows us to make predictions. For example, if you hypothesize that bright eye spots on a moth's wings deter predators, you're making a prediction that can be tested: If the moth has eye spots, then predators will avoid it, which can be observed and measured.
The ability to make predictions helps scientists to design experiments and to assess whether the results support the hypothesis or not, moving the scientific inquiry forward and enhancing the understanding of the phenomena in question.