The Science of Psychology

Chapter 1Introduction and Research Methods

Module Objectives

Why is Psychology a Science?

What is the scientific method?

How do researchers design a study?

Why should I believe what researchers say?

Let’s Start with Some Critical Thinking

Psychology requires the ability to think critically about different problems. Consider the following scenarios and use your critical thinking skills!

A man is found hanging in an otherwise empty

locked room with a puddle of water under

his feet.

How did he do it?

Did you get it?

He stood on a block of ice until it melted, which explains the

puddle under his feet!

Try this one…

A policeman was walking past a house. He heard someone cry, "Don't shoot me, John! Don't shoot!" There was one gunshot. The policeman entered the house and saw a lawyer, priest, and an engineer, gathered around a dead body. The priest was immediately arrested.

‐ How did the policeman know?

What DO you think?

The police officer knows that the Priest is John because the lawyer and the engineer were both WOMEN!

The Science of Psychology

When Psychologists perform research they begin by asking

questions

The Science of Psychology

Psychology is based on two premises of science:

1. Empiricism Acquiring information through careful

observation

2. Theory development: Collecting interrelated ideas and

observations

Psychology as a Science

Psychologists must engage in careful observation when studying behavior and mental processes

What does that mean?‐ They must put aside personal feelings or

biases‐ They must gather information

systematically‐ They must be able to replicate their

results

Systematic observation is setting up our study so that we eliminate or reduce bias.

“We must keep our minds open but not so open that

our brain falls out.”(Oberg, 1995)

Why can’t scientists base their research

off of casual, everyday

observations?(People watching)

Skepticism combines two opposing attitudes:

‐ an openness to new ideas combined with a willingness to subject these claims to scrutiny.

Everyday ObservationsWhat appears on the back of a $1 bill?

What is the shape of a stop sign?

What way does Lincoln face on the penny?

In which hand does the Statue of Liberty hold her torch?

How many tines are there on a regular dinner fork?

What shape is the Garden State Parkway sign?

How Did You Do?1. On the back of a dollar bill you will find 2

circles which make up the Great Seal of the US:

‐ left circle is the pyramid with the eye and the right circle is the bald eagle

2. A stop sign is an octagon (8-sides)

3. Lincoln faces to the right on the penny

4. Lady Liberty holds the torch in her right hand

5. There are four tines on a dinner fork

6. The GSP sign is a circle

What we casually observe without a

systematic plan can often be inaccurate.

Answer the following questions to illustrate this point…don’t cheat

Unfortunately, casual observation is subject to bias that can distort information

We notice behavior that fits our stereotypes

Why is Research Conducted?

The purpose of scientific research is to create new knowledge and increase our understanding of human behavior.

‐ This knowledge is applied in all areas of society to provide solutions.

In science, research strategies are categorized as either basic or

applied.

Basic research is designed to advance general understanding

Applied research is designed to solve practical problems

How Do Scientists Collect and Evaluate

Evidence?

Psychologists follow strict, standardized scientific

procedures so that others can understand, interpret and repeat their findings

Science is derived from the Latin word meaning

knowledge.

We gain scientific knowledge by testing hypotheses. Research designed to test

hypotheses goes through a series of steps…

Psychologists follow strict, standardized scientific

procedures so that others can understand, interpret

and repeat/test their findings

This process involves several specific steps to ensure the results

are valid

How is research conducted?

The Scientific Method allows psychologists to explore psychological issues systematically by using objective means

Think on your own…What does it mean to be

OBJECTIVE?

The scientific method is a tool box of skills that

scientists have developed to prevent themselves from

confirming their own biases

The Scientific Method1. Formulate a research question by stating a question and

performing a literature review

2. Develop a operationally defined and testable hypothesis

3. Research Design is selected to test the hypothesis

4. A statistical analysis must be performed on the data to determine if the findings support or reject the hypothesis.

5. The research is published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal.

6. After one or more studies on a topic, researchers generally advance a theory to explain their results.

Scientific Method in Psychology

Before research begins, a problem must be identified

‐ Researchers then perform a literature review and look at previously performed work.

The Psychologist must choose and formulate a question to be answered.

Make a Prediction!2. Develop a testable hypothesis, or a

specific prediction about how one factor is related to another.

This MUST be a testable prediction that is operationally defined-meaning the variables in are stated precisely in measurable terms.

‐ Example: Drinking excessive amounts of caffeine before the exam will increase my score.

Students often discuss wonderful questions they

would like to research, but what’s crucial in this

research process is that the question be testable.

How to make a testable prediction is where the challenge lies…

Let’s practiceWhat is a testable hypothesis

for this nursery rhyme?

Jack and Jill went up a hill to fetch a pail of water. Jack fell down and broke his crown. Jill came tumbling after.

What is your Hypothesis?

What could help us understand why Jack and Jill fell down the hill?

Perhaps we could hypothesize that fetching water causes falls.

‐ There is a correlation or a relationship between the terrain and the likelihood of falling.

Or…Perhaps…this explains the fall…

The hypothesis must be testable, but also

operationally defined

These allow a more specific measurement by defining a

numerical value.

Operational definitions allow Psychologist’s to

study intangible concepts by making them more

concrete, countable, and observable.

Examples of Operational Definitions

Aggressive behavior – the number of times a child punches a punching bag over the course of one hour

Happiness – the number of times a person smiles while watching a Disney movie

Intelligence – a score on an IQ test

Anxiety – the number of pencils a student brings to an exam

Try this on your own…Operationally define

the following

-Sadness-Creativity

Next…Research Methods