Final answer:
Operational definitions are used in psychology to define concepts in terms of specific measurement procedures. They help ensure research is conducted in a systematic and replicable manner. An operational definition is different from a hypothesis, which is a testable prediction about the relationship between variables.
Step-by-step explanation:
In psychology, operational definitions are used to define concepts in terms of the specific steps or procedures used to measure or observe them. They help psychologists conduct research in a systematic and replicable manner. For example, a psychologist may operationalize the concept of aggression by defining it as the number of aggressive acts observed in a laboratory setting.
The difference between an operational definition and a hypothesis is that an operational definition specifies how a variable will be measured or observed, while a hypothesis is a testable prediction about the relationship between variables. In other words, an operational definition tells us how we will measure or observe something, while a hypothesis tells us what we expect to find based on that measurement or observation.