Chapter 2 Scientific Research/Methods

Scientific Methods How do we learn about human behavior? How do we learn about human behavior? What is science? What is science? How do we do science? How do we do science? Where does basic psychological information come from? Where does basic psychological information come from? How is basic psychological knowledge applied scientifically? How is basic psychological knowledge applied scientifically?

Scientific Methods Science is the use of systematic observation of phenomena in an effort to detect orderly relationships (laws) governing interrelationships of variables. It involves description as its most simple tool and experimentation as its most complex tool. Science is the use of systematic observation of phenomena in an effort to detect orderly relationships (laws) governing interrelationships of variables. It involves description as its most simple tool and experimentation as its most complex tool.

Scientific Methods Descriptive methods include: Descriptive methods include: Survey method: the use of interviews and questionnaires in studying human behavior Survey method: the use of interviews and questionnaires in studying human behavior Naturalistic observation: involves the careful observation and recording of behavior in real-life settings Naturalistic observation: involves the careful observation and recording of behavior in real-life settings Clinical method: observation of people while a psychologist is helping them with a problem Clinical method: observation of people while a psychologist is helping them with a problem

Scientific Methods Correlational methods: the examination of the quantitative relationships between two or more variables Correlational methods: the examination of the quantitative relationships between two or more variables how does one behavior relate to the occurrence of another behavior? how does one behavior relate to the occurrence of another behavior? if we know one behavior’s pattern can we then, in turn, predict the pattern of occurrence of another behavior? if we know one behavior’s pattern can we then, in turn, predict the pattern of occurrence of another behavior?

Scientific Methods Formal Experiments: deliberately determining the cause-effect relationships between two or more variables Formal Experiments: deliberately determining the cause-effect relationships between two or more variables correlation methods preclude establishing cause-effect relationships; formal experiments will determine precise cause- effect relationships between variables correlation methods preclude establishing cause-effect relationships; formal experiments will determine precise cause- effect relationships between variables there are many experimental designs that psychologists use there are many experimental designs that psychologists use

Scientific Methods Ethical Principles of research with human subjects Ethical Principles of research with human subjects freedom from coercion freedom from coercion informed consent informed consent guidelines for deception of subjects and debriefing after experiments guidelines for deception of subjects and debriefing after experiments confidentiality confidentiality

Scientific Methods Ethical principles of research with animal subjects Ethical principles of research with animal subjects only use animals when it is necessary only use animals when it is necessary maintain the health of animals in experiments and animal compounds maintain the health of animals in experiments and animal compounds humane treatment of animals is absolutely important; no animal should be sacrificed unless data critical to helping humans humane treatment of animals is absolutely important; no animal should be sacrificed unless data critical to helping humans

What we know about human behavior Human beings are biological creatures. Human beings are biological creatures. Each person is different, yet much the same. Each person is different, yet much the same. People can be understood only in the context of their culture, ethnic identity, and gender identity. People can be understood only in the context of their culture, ethnic identity, and gender identity. Human lives are a continual process of change. Human lives are a continual process of change. Human behavior is motivated. Human behavior is motivated.

What we know about human behavior Humans are social animals. Humans are social animals. People play an active part in creating their experiences. People play an active part in creating their experiences. Behavior has multiple causes. Behavior has multiple causes. Behavior can be adaptive or maladaptive. Behavior can be adaptive or maladaptive. Human behavior and mental processes can be studied by the scientific method. Human behavior and mental processes can be studied by the scientific method.

Application of Psychology Psychology applied to your own study skills Psychology applied to your own study skills Good study techniques include: Good study techniques include: spacing out your study time; don’t cram spacing out your study time; don’t cram study in the same place all the time study in the same place all the time use mneumonic (memory) devices to help you retain information learned use mneumonic (memory) devices to help you retain information learned