Chapter 1

Psychology

and

Research Methods

Psychology

• The scientific study of behavior and mental processes– Behavior: can be directly observed (crying)

– Mental Processes: cannot be directly observed (remembering)

What Are the Goals of Psychology?

• Description of Behaviors: – What is the nature of this behavior?– Naming and classifying various observable, measurable

behaviors

• Control: – What conditions affect it?

• Understanding: – Why does this occur?– The causes of behavior

• Prediction:– Can we forecast when this will occur?

Psychology – A “Social” Science

• Through scientific observation and research methods

• Psychology TODAY:– Uses a systematic way of answering questions

about the world and the people who live in it

Critical Thinking

• Critical thinkers are willing to ask the hard questions and challenge conventional wisdom

• Ability to analyze, evaluate, critique, and synthesize information– Who is making this claim?– Has it been tested?– How reliable are the tests?

Scientific Method

• Form of critical thinking based on:– Careful collection of evidence– Accurate description and measurement– Precise definition– Controlled observation– Repeatable results

Scientific Theory

What can I expect?A system of ideas that interrelates facts and concepts, summarizes existing data, and predicts future observations

A Good Theory

• Must be falsifiable!

• Experiments are conducted to prove a theory to be “untrue” – operationally defined so that it can be disconfirmed

Hypothesis

• A testable prediction

Review

• What is the definition of Psychology?

• What are the four goals of Psychology?

• What are the steps in Scientific Method?

• What is a theory?

• What is a hypothesis?

Types of Research

• Experiment

• Clinical Method

• Naturalistic Observation

• Survey

Experiments

• A formal trial taken to confirm or disconfirm a hypothesis

In Psychology …

• Investigating the causes of behavior through a “controlled environment” - the experiment!

Cause and Effect

– Through use of :» Independent variables»Dependent variables

….. we can experimentally measure

CAUSE and

EFFECT

Variables

• Independent Variable: – Condition(s) altered by the experimenter– Suspected CAUSE for behavioral differences

• Dependent Variable: – Demonstrates EFFECT that independent variables

have on behavior

Groups

• Experimental Group: – The group of participants that gets the

independent variable

• Control Group: – The group of participants that does NOT

get the independent variable

Placebo

• Placebo: – A fake pill (sugar), injection (saline), or

condition– Placebos alter our expectations about our

own emotional and physical reactions

Placebo Effect

– Changes in behavior that result from expectations that a drug or other treatment will have some effect

• These expectancies then influence bodily activities

Types of Experiments

• Single Blind: – Only the subjects have no idea whether

they get real treatment or placebo

• Double Blind: – The subjects AND the experimenters have

no idea whether the subjects get real treatment or placebo• Best type of experiment if properly set

up

Review

• What is an experiment?

• What does cause and effect mean?

• What is a dependent variable?

• What is an independent variable?

• What is a placebo?

• What is placebo effect?

• What is the meaning of single blind vs. double blind?

Other Research Methods“Non- Experimental”

The Clinical Method

• Studying psychological problems in clinical settings

Naturalistic Observation

• Observing behavior as it unfolds

• “911”

Survey Method

• Using public polling techniques to answer psychological questions

• Question a random sample of people

• Self reported data

• “Courtesy” replies

Populations

• Case study

• Longitudinal study

• Cross Sectional study

Case Study

• Observation technique

• One person is studied in depth

• Goal is for one person to reveal universal principles

• Critical thinking …– Do you think one person can meet this scientific goal?

Longitudinal Study

• Study the same group of people

• Over a course of many years

• Goal: reveal universal principles

Cross Sectional

• Study multiple ages

• At one time

• Study a certain task, trait, behavior, etc.

• Goal: reveal universal principles

Review

• Describe other research methods:– Clinical method– Naturalistic Observation– Survey

• Describe different populations:– Case study– Longitudinal study– Cross sectional