Correlational Research Detects relationships between variables. Does NOT say that one variable causes another. There is a positive correlation between ice cream and murder rates. Does that mean that ice cream causes murder?

Measured using a correlation coefficient. A statistical measure of the extent to which two factors relate to one another

Play the Pick 3 Lottery Pick any 3 digit number from 000-999

Illusory Correlation Given random data, we look for order and meaningful patterns. On September, 11 2002 the New York lottery numbers were 9-1-1

Experimental Research Explores cause and effect relationships. Constipation Eating too many bananas causes

Steps in Designing an Experiment Hypothesis Pick Population: Random Selection then Random Assignment. Operationalize the Variables Identify Independent and Dependent Variables. Look for Extraneous Variables Type of Experiment: Blind, Double Blind etc.. Gather Data Analyze Results

Experimental Vocabulary Independent Variable: Dependent Variable: Experimental Group: Control Group: Placebo:

Analyze Results Use measures of central tendency (mean, median and mode). Use measures of variation (range and standard deviation).

Normal Distribution In a normal distribution, the mean, median and mode are all the same.

Distributions Outliers skew distributions. If group has one high score, the curve has a positive skew (contains more low scores) If a group has a low outlier, the curve has a negative skew (contains more high scores)

Contemporary Issues Is it ethical to conduct field experiments (outside of a laboratory) on people who are unaware they are being studied?

Does crazy depend on where you are? Can you question someone’s behavior if they won’t point out their spouses extramarital affair because it would make their spouse “uncomfortable”? When visiting someone for dinner, is it polite to eat everything you are served?

Are men and women equal? Are they the same? Men have warmer hands and women have warmer heads (especially when they’re ovulating). Women have sharper senses and smellier body odor. Women are more likely to be depressed. Men are more likely to develop Parkinson’s disease. Women are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s. Communication-how do women use language as opposed to men?

What about animal rights? Is similarity a reason to experiment on animals or a reason not to? Does it matter what kind of animal? The average person eats 20 animals each year. Less than 1% of animals killed each year for human use are used for Psych experiments. Who is entitled to human rights? Language Self-conciousness The ability to enter into obligations Some primates and other animals have these skills, but infants, the mentally ill, and retarded do not.

Where’s the line on people? APA standards: Obtain informed consent. No harm or discomfort. Respect confidentiality. Explain research upon completion. The APA urges researchers to use these standards, but they are not required. Private researchers have no obligations to follow any guidelines.