Ch. 2 – Methods of Psychology
Placebos A placebo is a “medicine” that has no active ingredients and works by the power of suggestion. Used to: Study the power of suggestion Study the actual effect of a real medicine
Double Blind Studies In a double-blind study, neither participants nor researchers know to which group any subject belongs (experimental group, control group, placebo group, etc.) Used to eliminate experimenter expectancy effects – researchers sometimes influence results accidentally because of their expectations. They can’t if they don’t know what to expect!
3 Basic components of research 1. Hypothesis: what the experimenter thinks the results will be Full moon will increase mental hospital admissions. 2. Subjects: beings being studied People being admitted to mental hospital. 3. Variables: factors that change in the experiment Phases of the moon and rate of mental hospital admissions
Hidden or unexpected variables They can invalidate the results! If the full moon falls on a weekend, then the fact that it’s a weekend could be the cause of the results, not the full moon. You must be sure that your results are caused by the variables you are testing.
Components of an experiment Independent variable: The factor that the experimenter manipulates Dependent variable: The factor that changes as a result of the independent variable It DEPENDS ON the independent variable Example: I want to find out if eating pizza makes people happier. Independent variable: Pizza Dependent variable: Happiness Come up with your own!
Components of an experiment Control group: The group that does not receive “treatment” – the critical part of the experiment in not performed on them. Experimental group: The group that receives “treatment” – the critical part of the experiment is performed on them. Example: Does jet lag result from flying itself or from time zone changes? Control: Takes 4-hour flight but crosses no time zones. Experimental: Takes 4-hour flight and crosses 3 time zones.
Laboratory study Studies that take place in a laboratory setting. Allows for objectivity Usually provides accurate info Setting somewhat artificial
Field study Research that takes place outside the lab. Setting more realistic, and therefore potentially more accurate results Difficult to control all variables
Survey method Research that involves asking questions about feelings, behavior, or opinions. Simple way to gather accurate information People could lie Might not be representative sample Question phrasing could skew results
Naturalistic observation Research that involves studying people without their knowledge. Accurate because behavior is completely natural Creepy? Behavior could be interpreted incorrectly – no way to find out
interview Research that involves asking questions and studying people face-to-face. Can get detailed information Subjects could lie Researcher biases can affect subjects’ behavior
Case study method Research that collects detailed info about a person and their background. Learning about background can explain present behavior Subject could lie Researcher biases could affect subjects’ behavior or interpretation of information
Psychological test Objective measures of various things, such as intelligence Provides accurate, objective info Limited in the amount of information that can be obtained Subjects could lie
Longitudinal method Research that studies the SAME people over time. Useful in studying things like development Expensive and time-consuming
Cross-sectional method Research that studies different age groups at the same time to understand an entire life span. Samples are representative of whole population Less expensive and time-consuming than longitudinal Can’t study development accurately
6 ethical guidelines 1. Do no harm. 2. Ensure that participation is voluntary. 3. Debrief - Remove any misconceptions caused by deception. 4. Provide results and interpretations to participants. 5. Maintain confidentiality. 6. Accurately describe risks to potential subjects.