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The Science of Psychology

Chapter 1

Myers 7th ed.

Summary

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The limits of intuition and common

sense

What makes something a science?

Intuition and common sense are often wrong.Hindsight Bias

People often think something was obviously goingto happen AFTER it happens. After people knowan answer they will look for reasons to explainand justify it, even if its the wrong answer theywill become more convinced its the right answer.

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The limits of intuition and common

sense

Overconfidence People tend to

think they knowmore than theydo.

Even afterpeople areshown to bewrong they ofteninsist they wereright or partiallyright

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The Scientific Attitude

Being skeptical but not cynical

Being open but not gullibleHaving humility

Valuing the truth over being right

Critical thinking examining the evidence SHOW ME THE EVIDENCE!

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The Scientific Method

Scientific Theory An evolving explanation that accurately predicts

and organizes observable phenomenon. Ascientific theory is only as valuable as its ability topredict outcomes accurately.

The ability to predict an action is proven through

experimentation controlled and logical testingthat can be repeated by anyone so they can seefor themselves the theory works.

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Experimentation

Operational Definitions very specifically

describes critical concepts in an experimentso that people will be able to replicate it

exactly.

Hypothesis

A testable prediction

An experiment can be very valuable and provide

critical information even if it fails.

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Psychological Research

Psychologist try to gather information

using case studies, surveys, and natural

observation.

Case studies Provides in depth information on one subject

Good: provides a lot of detailed information

Bad: information only definitely applies tothat one person and might not be valid for

others

Skull of Phineas Gage,

famous psychological case study

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Psychological Research

The Survey

Gathers information on many subjects but withless detail.

Good: Can be used to easily gather a lot of

information on a lot of people

Bad: Information is not that in depth, resultsmight be tainted by wording effects, or sampling

issues

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Sampling issues

Surveys are a very common powerful tool for

research but they can often give misleadinginformation due to sampling issues.

You must find the correct population to draw

your sample from.

Within that population you must use randomsampling. This avoids the false consensus

effect.

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Naturalistic Observation

Observing subjects in their natural setting

without trying to control anything. Simplywatching.

Good a lot of information can be revealed

about how subjects actually act.

Bad limitations of observer and physicallywhere they are and what they can see.

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Correlation

Psychologists use statistics and correlation to

show the strength of a relationship betweentwo things.

However, there are illusionary correlations

and cause and effect are still

undeterminable.Correlation does NOT equal causation.

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Illusory Correlations

When we believe there is a relationship

between two things we are likely to recall andnotice instances that confirm our beliefs.

For example, perceiving order in random

events lottery, exact change etc.

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Experimentation

In order to determine cause and effect an

experiment must be done. To find cause and effect experiments attempt

to manipulate factors of interestand control

all other factors.

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Experimental Factors

Bias the double blind procedure provides that

neither the participants nor the scientists are not

aware of who is actually being tested to remove allbias.

Placebo effect a well documented effect in

humans, if a patient believes he is getting treatment

around 30% of the time he will get better even if heis not. The placebo effect always wears off and is

unusable for long term effects.

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Experimental and Control groups

Experimental subjects are randomly selectedto be part of the experimental group (thegroup that will get the experimentaltreatment) and a Control group (the groupthat will get a placebo)

This procedure shows the results of theexperimental group in contrast to the controlgroup and make for a reliable study ofeffects.

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Independent/Dependant variables

Independent variable the thing that will

be changedin the experiment between theexperimental group and the control group.

Dependant variable the thing that will be

measuredin both groups to determine the

effect of the independent variable

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Basic Stats.

Stats are used in almost every psychological

research paper so they are important to know how to

read and interpret.

Measures of Central Tendency

-Mode: Most frequently occurring number

-Median: The number at which half the numbers are

above it, and half below.

-Mean: The arithmetic average of all numbers

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Stats

Standard Deviation: A

computed score that tells

how scores vary around themean score.

Statistical Significance: A

statistical statement that

tells you how likely a result

was made by chance (asopposed to actually affected

by an independent variable

in an experiment.)