After observing children interacting with a department store Santa Claus,a psychologist decides to study children's beliefs in Santa.Prior to beginning the study,the psychologist predicts that 5-year-olds will believe in Santa,10-year-olds will not be sure of their belief,and 15-year-olds will not believe at all.This prediction represents a
A) theory.
B) method.
C) paradigm.
D) hypothesis.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The psychologist's prediction that 5-year-olds will believe in Santa, 10-year-olds will not be sure of their belief, and 15-year-olds will not believe at all is a specific and testable statement about the relationship between age and belief in Santa. This statement is a hypothesis, defined as a proposed explanation for a phenomenon that is based on previous observations and is subject to empirical testing. The other options are not appropriate descriptions of the psychologist's prediction. A theory is a general explanation for a set of observations, backed up by experimental evidence and tested over time. A method is a procedure or technique used to conduct research. A paradigm is a conceptual framework or set of assumptions that guides research in a particular field.

After Observing Children Interacting with a Department Store Santa Claus,a