Psychological Research Chapter One

Pre-Assessment Answer the following questions with the best of your ability! 1) Can we study behavior? How? Why would we? 2) If we do study behavior, can we change it? 3) Why is it difficult to find “truth” in the process

of psychological research? 4) How can someone's “common sense” be

misleading? 5) Identify and explain the steps in the scientific

method.

Directions For the purpose of your notes and future

assessments on any of these methods, it would be important to fill out the guide sheet as we go through this information.

You WILL be using these terms through an experiment you will be conducting for the Chapter One Exam.

Do we NEED a science of behavior?

Think about It! Most of the world’s problems are problems of behavior

(Skinner) Pollution, war, overpopulation

Is Behavior predictable? HOW? Can we change behavior based on our predictions?

Determinism Predeterminism-any outcome has a series of events,

copy them, repeat them-same outcome Soft Determinism-human choices are involved

The PITFALLS of our “Common Sense” Although, to some extent, we outsmart

computers, our intuition goes awry. TO ERR is Human

Without scientific inquiry and critical thinking, I-Knew-it-all-along phenomenon plays a large role

We are overconfident of our judgments-we see the world in order to prove our point.

The science of Psychology gathers evidence and shifts through evidence to avoid error.

The scientific method can move our thinking from illusion to reality (or find “truth”)

What are the basic requirements for scientific work? To have the understanding that:

Observations Empiricism (the use of the senses to make

observations)Does NOT always work to find truth

The proper attitude: Skepticism? “Why would I believe this to be true or not

true?” The attitude of the world is that everything is

Subjective Subjective vs. Objective

The Scientific Method What is the Scientific Method?

Is the system of gather data so that bias and error in measurements are reduced.

It is used to test (hypotheses or predictions) to validate or refine a theory

One does not need proof to believe, but scientists need proof (in the form of objectively gathered evidence) to know.

What is your research question?

What background research would you do?

What is your answer to your question? How would you test your

hypothesis?

How would you gather information? How would you analyze it?

Why should results be reported? How would report your results help you if your hypothesis was wrong?

The Steps in the Process Example: eating breakfast

and student achievement

The Steps in the Process Example: student ACT/SAT

scores and success in college

ARE YOU HUNGRY? Directions: (1)In three groups provide me with the directions on how to make a peanut butter sandwich.(2)Please take a look at the supplies at the table. I can only use those supplies. (3) At the end, sandwich's for everyone.

What was the purpose?

Types of Research Three Different Routes:

1) Descriptive Methods 2) Correlational Methods

3) Experimental Methods

Is used to observe and record behavior

Is used to detect naturally occurring relationships to assess how one variable predicts another

Is used to explore cause and effect

Naturalistic Observations

The best way to look at behavior is to watch them behave in their normal environment.

Look but don’t touch Why would it be different

elsewhere? What are some

advantages? What are some

disadvantages?

Laboratory Observation What would it be an advantage to use

an artificial laboratory? What would it be an disadvantage of

using artificial laboratory?

Case Studies An in-depth Treatment of one Case Best used in usual Cases Sigmund Freud-

Founded this type of observation

He gathered information about patients childhoods and relationships with other from the vary beginning lives.

What are the advantages?

What are the disadvantages?

Surveys

In this method, researchers will ask a series of questions about the topic they are studying.

It can be conducted in many ways: in person, on-line, over the phone, snail-mail

What are the advantages? What are the disadvantages?

Finding Relationships: Correlations

A Correlation-is a particular way of organizing numerical information so that it is easier to look for patterns in the information.

The goal is finding relationships between two or more variables.

A correlational Coefficient (r)-a) identifies the direction of the relationship B) its strength

It is based on ±1 If positive-----the two variables increase in the

same direction If negative----the two variables have an inverse

relationship

Correlations

Correlations: More examples

The Strength? The strength of the relationship

between the variables will be determined by an actual number itself.

It will always be between + 1.00 and -1.00

The negative number is the strength of the negative correlation

The positive number is the strength of the positive correlation

Numbers close to ZERO, Week the relationship

-1 0 1

Weak Strength

The ABC ProblemAmong the elderly, one study found a high positive correlation between caffeine and Cognitive activity. What does this mean?

Correlations and Causation

ACaffeine

B Sexual Activity

Which causes which?

ABC Problem

ACaffeine

B Sexual Activity

CLifestyle Differences?

Any other examples of the ABC concept?

Evaluating Correlations What are the advantages?

What are the disadvantages?