Class Starter # 5 zWhat are the 3 types of research done by psychologists?
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Transcript of Class Starter # 5 zWhat are the 3 types of research done by psychologists?
Class Starter # 5
What are the 3 types of research done by psychologists?
Myers’ PSYCHOLOGY
(7th Ed)
Chapter 1 Thinking Critically with Psychological Science
The Need for Psychological Science
Psychologists, like all scientists, use the scientific method to
construct theories that organize observations and imply testable hypotheses
The Need for Psychological Science
3 Broad Categories of Research
1) Experiments based on scientific method; “cause and effect”
2) Descriptive studies-case studies, surveys, & naturalistic observation
3) Correlation studies-look for a relationship between variables
The Need for Psychological Science
Theory an explanation using an integrated
set of principles that organizes and predicts observations
Hypothesis a testable prediction often implied by a theory
Experimentation
Experiment an investigator manipulates one or
more factors (independent variables) to observe their effect on some behavior or mental process (the dependent variable)
by random assignment of participants the experiment controls other relevant factors
Experimentation
Operational Definition a statement of procedures
(operations) used to define research variables
Example- intelligence may be operationally defined
as what an intelligence test measures
Experimentation Independent Variable
the experimental factor that is manipulated
the variable whose effect is being studied Dependent Variable
the experimental factor that may change in response to manipulations of the independent variable
in psychology it is usually a behavior or mental process
Experimentation
Random Assignmentassigning participants to experimental and control conditions by chance
minimizes pre-existing differences between those assigned to the different groups
Experimentation Placebo
an inert substance or condition that may be administered instead of a presumed active agent, such as a drug, to see if it triggers the effects believed to characterize the active agent
Double-blind Procedure both the research participants and the
research staff are ignorant (blind) about whether the research participants have received the treatment or a placebo
commonly used in drug-evaluation studies
Experimentation
Experimental Condition the condition of an experiment that
exposes participants to the treatment, that is, to one version of the independent variable
Control Condition the condition of an experiment that
contrasts with the experimental treatment serves as a comparison for evaluating the
effect of the treatment
Experimentation
Replication repeating the essence of a
research study to see whether the basic finding generalizes to other participants and circumstances
usually with different participants in different situations
Description
Psychologists describe behavior using case studies,
surveys, and naturalistic observation
Case Study
Psychologists study one or more individuals in great depth in the hope of revealing things true of us all
Ex. case study of Phineas Gage, railroad worker who was stabbed through the brain with a metal shaft.
Surveys
technique for ascertaining the self-reported attitudes or behaviors of people
usually by questioning a representative, random sample of people
Naturalistic Observation
observing and recording behavior in naturally occurring situations without trying to manipulate and control the situation
The Need for Psychological Science
Critical Thinking thinking that does
not blindly accept arguments and conclusions examines
assumptions discerns hidden
values evaluates evidence
Terms
Hindsight Bias we tend to believe, after learning an
outcome, that we would have foreseen it
the “I-knew-it-all-along” phenomenon Overconfidence
we tend to think we know more than we do
Terms
False Consensus Effect tendency to overestimate the extent
to which others share our beliefs and behaviors
Example Romantic relationships between people often start off with a glow as hormones and False Consensus overshadow real differences. However, the cloud-9 effect eventually wears off as the loving couple eventually discover that they are not, after all, that similar (and in fact often are amazingly incompatible!).
Terms
Illusory Correlation the perception of a
relationship where none exists
Correlation Correlation Coefficient
a statistical measure of the extent to which two factors vary together, and thus how well either factor predicts the other
Correlation coefficient
Indicates directionof relationship
(positive or negative)
Indicates strengthof relationship(0.00 to 1.00)
r = +.37
Correlation
Scatterplot a graphed cluster of dots, each of which
represents the values of two variables the slope of the points suggests the
direction of the relationship the amount of scatter suggests the
strength of the correlation little scatter indicates high correlation
also called a scattergram or scatter diagram
Correlation
Perfect positivecorrelation (+1.00)
No relationship (0.00) Perfect negativecorrelation (-1.00)
Scatterplots, showing patterns of correlations
Correlation
Scatterplot of Height and Temperament
55 60 65 70 75 80 85
959085807570656055504540353025
Temperamentscores
Height in inches
CorrelationThree Possible Cause-Effect Relationships
(1)Low self-esteem
Depression
(2)Depression
Low self-esteem
Low self-esteem
Depression
(3)Distressing events
or biologicalpredisposition
could cause
could cause
could cause
or
or
and
Comparing Research Methods
Statistics Mode
the most frequently occurring score in a distribution
Mean the arithmetic average of a distribution obtained by adding the scores and then
dividing by the number of scores Median
the middle score in a distribution half the scores are above it and half are
below it
Statistical Reasoning
Range the difference between the highest and
lowest scores in a distribution Standard Deviation
a computed measure of how much scores vary around the mean
Statistical Significance a statistical statement of how likely it is that
an obtained result occurred by chance
Frequently Asked Questions about Psychology
Can laboratory experiments illuminate everyday life?
Frequently Asked Questions about Psychology
Does behavior depend on ones culture? Culture--the enduring
behaviors, ideas, attitudes, and traditions shared by a large group of people and transmitted from one generation to the next
Frequently Asked Questions about Psychology
Does behavior vary with gender?
Frequently Asked Questions about Psychology
Why do psychologists study animals?
Is it ethical to experiment on animals?
Is it ethical to experiment on people?
Frequently Asked Questions about Psychology
Is psychology free of value judgments?