The Measure of Mind

It is actually way more exciting than it sounds!!!! Research Methods It is actually way more exciting than it sounds!!!!

Why do we have to learn this stuff? Psychology is first and foremost a science. Thus it is based in research.

Systematic observation Science as a Way of Knowing methods Experimentation Systematic observation

Experimental Method Looking to prove causal relationships. Cause = Effect

Independent Variable Whatever is being manipulated in the experiment. Hopefully the independent variable brings about change. If there is a drug in an experiment, the drug is almost always the independent variable.

Dependent Variable Whatever is being measured in the experiment. It is dependent on the independent variable. The dependent variable would be the effect of the drug.

The Placebo Effect A placebo is a substance or treatment that has no effect apart from a person’s belief in its effect. Feeling better simply because we expect to feel better—and for no other reason—is an example of the placebo effect.

Example of Experiment Which is the independent variable (hint: what did the experimenter control?)? Which is the dependent variable (hint: what did the experimenter predict would be different based on the independent variable?)?

Conducting Research Scientific research consists of five basic steps: forming a research question, forming a hypothesis, testing the hypothesis, analyzing the results, and drawing conclusions. After the five steps are completed, scientists attempt to replicate the results and often ask new questions based on those results

Observation Watch subjects in their natural environment. Do not manipulate the environment. The bad is that we can never really show cause and effect.

psychological techniques Survey psychological tests

The Survey Psychologists usually use a survey to gather information about people by asking them directly. A survey is a series of questions people are asked to answer about a particular subject. Psychologists conduct surveys by asking people to fill out written questionnaires or by interviewing people orally. The findings of interviews and questionnaires may not be completely accurate. People may not be honest about their attitudes or behavior. People may limit their responses for privacy reasons. People may say what they think the interviewers want to hear.

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