List three (3) differences between 9th and 12th graders. Do Now List three (3) differences between 9th and 12th graders.

How do we use the Scientific Method in Psychological Research? Statement of expected results Hypothesis: Subjects chosen Subjects divided up (get the experiment) Experimental Group (do not get the experiment) Control Group Variables: Factors that change in an experiment

How to tell the difference between variables Independent Variable IF A request is made by a person in a uniform Dependent Variable THEN More people will reply to this request

What is the experimental group? Group on which critical part of experiment is performed This group gets the real sleeping pills

What is the Control Group? Consists of subjects who are just like the experimental group except will not participate in the study This group will not receive a placebo Placebo is a medicine that has no active ingredients and works by power of suggestion

Something that could skew results Experimental Subjects removed What is a Control? Examples: Subject with cold, on medication, or any other issue that could cause the results to be effected Something that could skew results Experimental Subjects removed

(The variable the experimenter changes) Do Sleeping Pills Work? 2 sleeping pills help people with insomnia Hypothesis What results from the experimenter manipulating the independent variable Ex. Better sleep, less sleep, etc. Dependent Variable Two groups of people in similar health, same age, similar sleep issues Subjects Removal of factors that may prove hypothesis – but would alter results. Older people, people with colds, on other medication, etc. Control Independent Variable (The variable the experimenter changes) Experimenter gives one group real sleeping pills and one group placebos

What is a double-blind study? Subject Patient’s expectations Wondering which group gets real drug Researcher Researcher interprets results Knowing who got the real drug can impact objectivity Accurate Results Patient doesn’t know Researcher doesn’t know

Variable Song http://www.teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?video_id=152952

Naturalistic Observation Choose a group Try to observe at least twice Take notes on observations (can be on back of activity sheet) Answer questions on sheet Statement of Expected Results (Hypothesis) – what did you think would happen? Did it?

Do Now: If you were to do a research study on the impact of texting… Who would you choose to study? How would you select your groups? What would you use to gather results? What “impact” are you looking for?

The American Psychological Association 1992 Subjects must have right to decline/withdraw participation Openness and honesty (disclose as soon as possible afterwards if this would skew results) Information obtained must remain confidential Experimenter has duty to assess any potential risks, and inform subject – correct/remove undesirable consequences

What are Ethics? You will see many studies that used: Deception, deliberate creation of anxiety in subjects Studies justified on grounds that: We are seeking more information about human beings More knowledge = the more people can be helped Problems in history of psychological research: Stanley Milgram Experiment *video clip Stanford Prison Experiment * video clip Little Albert

What bothers you the most about students in the high school What bothers you the most about students in the high school? Why do they do it? How would you conduct a research study to prove this is a problem? Do Now:

Naturalistic Observation Observe in natural environment No subject feedback Pro Con Longitudinal Study Gathers information over a subject’s life Expensive to undertake and keep track of subjects

Pro Con Lab Experiment Research completely objective Artificial Setting Pro Con Field Setting More realistic than Lab setting Difficult to control variables

Cross Sectional Studies Random sample of population May not truly measure generational issues Pro Con Case Study Detailed information Very detailed, no comparisons

Pro Con Survey Quick way to gather a lot of information Questions can be misunderstood Pro Con Interview One on one information Subject can be less than truthful – interpretation issues

Summary Scientific Method is used in Psychology experiments Dependent Variable: Result of Experiment Hypothesis: statement of expected results. Can be proved or disproved through observation and experimentation Placebo: medicine with no active ingredients – works by power of suggestion Double Blind Study: Experiment with neither the subject nor researcher knowing who has the placebo – removes expectations that can skew results Experimental Group: Group participating in experiment Control Group: Group not participating in the experiment Ethics: Guidelines for Psychological Experiments – results must outweigh risks. Control: removal of subjects that could skew results Variables: factors introduced or resulting from experiment There are many types of psychological studies – each has their pros and cons. Independent Variable: Variable controlled by Researcher

Summary Types of Research Studies Field Studies Lab Experiments Naturalistic Observation Case Studies Surveys Longitudinal Cross Sectional Studies Interviews.

Do Now: Quick Quiz 1. What is a hypothesis? 2. What part of an experiment is the Independent Variable? 3. What part is the Dependent Variable? 4. What is the experimental group? 5. What is a control group? *Bonus: What is a placebo?