Companion Document to the ACRL Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education: Psychological Sciences

Students demonstrate comprehension of the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, historical trends, and empirical or evidence-based findings to discuss how psychological principles apply to behavior and mental processes.

1.1 Describe key concepts, principles, and theories in psychological science

1.1b Recognize that simple explanations rarely explain behavior adequately
1.1C Explain how research conclusions may be affected by sociocultural context
1.1E Provide examples of psychology’s influence on other disciplines

The skills in this domain involve the development of scientific reasoning and investigation, including developing proficiencies in research methods and statistics. Research skills reflect having knowledge and respect for diversity-related issues when targeting samples in study design and data analysis. Research practice also includes an evaluation of the extent to which research findings can be generalized as applicable to groups beyond the research sample.

2.1 Exercise scientific reasoning to investigate psychological phenomena

2.1a Define psychological research concepts (e.g., empiricism, variables, operational definitions, measurement)
2.1A Distinguish psychological research concepts in a research study
2.1b Recognize the potential for flaws in behavioral explanations that are based on anecdotes or pseudoscience
2.1B Develop plausible behavioral explanations that use scientific reasoning
2.1c Describe common fallacies in thinking (e.g., confirmation bias, post hoc explanations, implying causation from correlation) that potentially impair accurate research conclusions and predictions
2.1C Implement strategies to minimize the influence of common fallacies in thinking that impair accurate research conclusions and predictions

2.2 Interpret, design, and evaluate psychological research

2.2a Compare and contrast specific research methods (e.g., archival, descriptive, correlational, experimental, qualitative)
2.2A Select and apply the appropriate research design for a given research question
2.2b Develop a testable hypothesis based on operational definitions
2.2B Design or replicate a research study to confirm or disconfirm a testable hypothesis
2.2c Describe research design strategies that facilitate ruling out alternative explanations
2.2C Evaluate the extent to which research strategies rule out alternative explanations and support cause-effect claims
2.2d Define research transparency and open science practices
2.2D Use replicable and open scientific practices

2.3 Incorporate sociocultural factors in scientific research practices

2.3a Recognize that research emerges from the researcher’s value system and worldview
2.3A Identify examples of how a researcher’s value system, sociocultural characteristics, and historical context influence the development of scientific inquiry into psychological questions
2.3b Identify potential limitations in research studies that do not appropriately consider the role of sociocultural influences
2.3B Incorporate appropriate sociocultural considerations in research design and interpretation
2.3c Identify research conditions that allow research findings to be generalized appropriately
2.3C Evaluate the generalizability of specific findings, including caution in extending western constructs in appropriate consideration of sociocultural factors
2.3d Recognize that the focus of psychological research may narrowly reflect western concerns and biases
2.3D Incorporate international sources, including nonwestern researchers and samples, in research processes, where appropriate
2.3e Describe how qualitative research captures varied human experiences, particularly those of members from historically marginalized groups
2.3E Evaluate how qualitative research strategies address equity, diversity, and inclusion considerations

2.4 Use statistics to evaluate quantitative research findings

2.4D Distinguish and interpret practical and ethical aspects of statistical analysis

This goal promotes the development of ethical and socially responsible values and behaviors in personal, professional, organizational, and institutional settings. The goal includes ethical reasoning and practices, interpersonal and intercultural responsiveness, as well as strategies that promote and sustain strong communities and equitable opportunities.

3.1 Employ ethical standards in research, practice, and academic contexts

3.1B Evaluate psychological research for adherence to relevant ethics codes for research involving human or nonhuman participants
3.1E Explain how upholding academic integrity strengthens relationships and communities

3.2 Develop and practice interpersonal and intercultural responsiveness

3.2c Identify how human diversity influences interpersonal interactions
3.2E Identify and implement ways to reduce racism and other discriminatory beliefs and practices

Students develop psychological literacy, including applying knowledge of research skills necessary to be an informed consumer of research or a critic regarding unsupported claims about behavior. The skills in this category address the ability of students to build and maintain effective communication skills in processing and expressing information.

4.2 Write and present effectively for different purposes

4.2B Construct arguments clearly and concisely from evidence-based psychological concepts and theories

4.3 Provide evidence of psychological literacy

4.3a Accurately summarize general ideas and conclusions from psychological sources
4.3A Accurately summarize complex ideas and conclusions from psychological sources and research
4.3b Identify how information sources differ in credibility and objectivity, favoring expert, peer-reviewed scholarship
4.3B Describe the characteristics and relative value of different kinds of information
sources (e.g., primary vs. secondary, peer reviewed vs. non-reviewed, empirical vs. nonempirical)
4.3c Articulate criteria for identifying objective sources of psychological information
4.3C Evaluate psychological information based on the currency, reliability, validity, and generalizability of sources
4.3d Describe the types of biases or errors that appear in various media
4.3D Evaluate the biases and errors that appear in various media

4.4 Exhibit appropriate technological skills to improve communication

4.4C Develop comprehensive and efficient strategies for locating and using relevant scholarship to investigate psychological questions

The emphasis in this domain involves self-regulation, project management skills, professional judgment, collaboration skills, and proficiency in workplace technology and career planning.

5.4 Cultivate workforce collaboration skills

5.4B Incorporate diverse perspectives to maximize collaboration effectiveness and problem-solving

Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct

Principle A: Beneficence and Nonmaleficence

• "Psychologists strive to benefit those with whom they work and take care to do no harm. In their professional actions, psychologists seek to safeguard the welfare and rights of those with whom they interact professionally and other affected persons, and the welfare of animal subjects of research..."

Principle B: Fidelity and Responsibility

• "Psychologists establish relationships of trust with those with whom they work. They are aware of their professional and scientific responsibilities to society and to the specific communities in which they work. Psychologists uphold professional standards of conduct, clarify their professional roles and obligations, accept appropriate responsibility for their behavior, and seek to manage conflicts of interest that could lead to exploitation or harm...."

Principle C: Integrity

• "Psychologists seek to promote accuracy, honesty, and truthfulness in the science, teaching, and practice of psychology. In these activities psychologists do not steal, cheat or engage in fraud, subterfuge, or intentional misrepresentation of fact. Psychologists strive to keep their promises and to avoid unwise or unclear commitments...."

Principle D: Justice

• "Psychologists recognize that fairness and justice entitle all persons to access to and benefit from the contributions of psychology and to equal quality in the processes, procedures, and services being conducted by psychologists. Psychologists exercise reasonable judgment and take precautions to ensure that their potential biases, the boundaries of their competence, and the limitations of their expertise do not lead to or condone unjust practices."

Principle E: Respect for People's Rights and Dignity

• "Psychologists respect the dignity and worth of all people, and the rights of individuals to privacy, confidentiality, and self-determination. Psychologists are aware that special safeguards may be necessary to protect the rights and welfare of persons or communities whose vulnerabilities impair autonomous decision making...."

Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists

Responsibility of the Individual Psychologist

Principle II: Responsible Caring

• "...psychologists demonstrate an active concern for the well-being and best interests of the individuals and groups (e.g., couples, families, groups, communities, peoples) with whom they relate in their role as psychologists. This concern includes both those directly involved and those indirectly involved in their activities...."

Principle III: Integrity in Relationships

• "The relationships formed by psychologists in the course of their work, regardless of the communication modality used, and regardless of whether they are with identifiable individuals or groups or with the public at large, embody explicit and implicit mutual expectations of integrity that are vital to the advancement of scientific knowledge and to the maintenance of public confidence in the discipline of psychology. These expectations involve a commitment to truthfulness, and include: accuracy and honesty; straightforwardness and openness; maximization of objectivity and minimization of bias; and avoidance of conflicts of interest...."

Principle IV: Responsibility to Society

• "....Two of the legitimate expectations of psychology as a science and a profession are that it will increase knowledge and that it will conduct its affairs in such ways that it will promote the welfare of all human beings. Freedom of enquiry, innovation, and debate (including scientific and academic freedom) is a foundation of psychological education, science, and practice. In the context of society, the above expectations imply that psychologists will exercise this freedom through the use of activities and methods that are consistent with ethical requirements..."