Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Assumptions are beliefs or ideas that are taken for granted without requiring proof or evidence. In psychology, assumptions often serve as starting points or foundational principles upon which theories and research are built.
In psychology, a theory is a set of interconnected ideas or principles that explain observations and guide research. Theories often rely on assumptions to provide a framework for understanding behavior and mental processes.
Research design: Research design refers to the specific plan or strategy used to investigate psychological phenomena. It involves making informed choices about how data will be collected, analyzed, and interpreted based on underlying assumptions.
Confirmation bias: Confirmation bias is the tendency to selectively seek, interpret, and remember information that confirms existing beliefs or assumptions while ignoring conflicting evidence. It can influence how we perceive and evaluate research findings.