INTRODUCTORY

PSYCHOLOGY

Ron Mossler, Ph.D.Los Angeles Valley College

RESEARCH METHODS IN PSYCHOLOGY

Goals of psychology

Describe, predict and control behavior

Accomplished by using scientific

method

Psychology is the science of behavior and mental processes.

It is both scientific and applied

Case study and interviewsSurvey/Questionnaires – representative sample?Naturalistic ObservationOperational defi nition – replication Correlational research

1-3

RESEARCH METHODS

RESEARCH METHODS IN PSYCHOLOGY

Correlational research tells whether the values of two variables are related.

1-4

Can be used to predict, butIT DOES NOT SHOW CAUSALITY!

How do changes in one variable affect another?

Independent variable(The IV)Dependent variable (the DV)

1-5

THE EXPERIMENTAL METHOD

In the experimental method, we manipulate the IV to determine the effect on the DV

Compare outcomes of:Experimental groupControl group

Know:Extraneous variablesBias

1-6

THE EXPERIMENTAL METHOD

RESEARCH METHODS IN PSYCHOLOGY

Manipulation of the IV (the cause) determines whether it influences the DV (the effect)

1-7

Single blind vs. double blind

Placebo effect

1-8

THE EXPERIMENTAL METHOD

You want to study the effect of alcohol consumption in America on driving deaths. You find that from 1930 until 1995 there was an extremely strong correlation (.93).

What conclusions can you make? Does increased alcohol consumption cause an increase in auto fatalities? Why or why not?

1-9

REVIEW

A lcohol Dr iv ing Consumption Deaths

CAUSALITY

?

Statistics > the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data.

1-10

RESEARCH METHODS IN PSYCHOLOGY

• Descriptive statistics > summarize data.

• Inferential statistics > are results of an experiment significant?

1-11

NORMAL CURVE

RESEARCH METHODS IN PSYCHOLOGYAPA ETHICAL GUIDELINES

• Protection from harm• Confidentiality• Voluntary participation• Deception and intimidation

Psychologists must ensure:

Wilhelm Wundt – fi rst psychology laboratory in Leipzig, Germany in 1879

Wundt > structuralism.

Student, Edward Titchener brought Wundt’s type of psychology to U.S. = Structuralism; dev’d “introspection”

1-13

THE ORIGINS OF MODERN PSYCHOLOGY

William James – functionalism; not structure, but what the mind does, and why.

Concerned with consciousness—what the mind does and why

Like a fl owing streamThe study of “mental life”

Now ~cognition

1-14

THE ORIGINS OF MODERN PSYCHOLOGY

THE ORIGINS OF MODERN PSYCHOLOGY

• challenge to structuralists’ notion that conscious experience could be broken down into elements

Gestalt psychology

1-16

THE ORIGINS OF MODERN PSYCHOLOGYTHE RISE OF APPLIED PSYCHOLOGY

Sigmund Freud: Influenced by the unconscious.• Psychodynamic/

psychoanalytic

Freud's granddaughter Sophie (a doctor in her own right), on Freudian theory:

"I think it's such a narcissistic indulgence that I cannot believe in it."

1-17

WHAT IS THE MEANING BEHIND THIS POSTER?

1-18

IVAN PAVLOV

WATSON/B.F. SKINNER

1-19

Skinner Box

THE ORIGINS OF MODERN PSYCHOLOGYTHE RISE OF APPLIED PSYCHOLOGY

The Humanistic Perspective Abraham Maslow Carl Rogers

1-20

THE ORIGINS OF MODERN PSYCHOLOGY

• Underlying biological foundation for all forms of behavior

• Functioning of brain and nervous system

Physiological perspective;

Cognitive Neuropsycholog

y

THE ORIGINS OF MODERN PSYCHOLOGY

• How thought occurs, how memories work, how information is organized and stored

Cognitive perspective

THE ORIGINS OF MODERN PSYCHOLOGY

Evolutionary

perspective

APA MEMBER SPECIALTY AREAS

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

What do psychology majors do after

college?

PSYCHOLOGICAL SPECIALTIESCLINICAL AND COUNSELING

Difference between a psychologist (Ph.D or Psy.D). and a psychiatrist (M.D.)

School Psychologist/PPSConsumerHuman Factors - (ergonomics)Health (including occupational health and EAPs)SportsForensic - memory, sanity, competenceDevelopmental – growth, dev’t, changeNeuropsychologists –trained to diagnose brain

dxMSW/LCSWM.A./MFT

1-26

PSYCHOLOGICAL SPECIALTIESAND CAREERS

Research Psychologists IO

IAssess basic Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Other

characteristics to perform a job. Testing of job applicants, accommodation

O Social process of work

ConsumerHuman Factors - design equipment and machines

(ergonomics)Health (including occupational health and EAPs)SportsForensic - memory, sanity, competenceDevelopmental – growth, dev’t, change [?]

1-27