Unit 2 (M6): Experimental Research Designs Ms. Saint-Paul A.P. Psychology

Chapter 2 (D): Problems and Solutions in Research

Problems in Experimental Research What types of problems do you think psychological researchers may encounter when conducting experimental research?

Problems in Experimental Research Self-Fulfilling Prophecy( Experimenter Bias): Researcher’s expectations influence his/her own behavior, and thereby influence the participant’s behavior (e.g. thinking a subject will respond in a certain way, and unassumingly acting in a manner that will cause the subject to then do so) https://youtu.be/3VCNcZTYvzM

Problems in Experimental Research Have you ever experienced a “self-fulfilling prophecy?”

Problems in Experimental Research Placebo Effect: A change in a participant’s behavior that results from a belief that the treatment will have an effect, rather than the actual treatment (e.g. participant thinks he/she is receiving “Red Bull,” but instead receives non-caffeinated soda, and still “feels energized”)

Solutions in Experimental Research How can psychological researchers avoid self- fulfilling prophecies and placebo effects when conducting experimental research?

Solutions in Experimental Research Single-Blind Procedure: Participants are unaware of which participants received the treatment (e.g. participants do not know which participants received “Red Bull”) Double-Blind Procedure: Participants and experimenter(s) are unaware of which participants received the treatment (e.g. participants and experimenter(s) do not know which participants received “Red Bull”)

Chapter 2 (E): Ethics in Psychological Research

Ethics in Psychological Research The methods of conduct/standards for proper and responsible behavior among psychological researchers Published by the American Psychological Association (A.P.A.) in 1992

Ethics in Psychological Research Ethical Principles in Psychology (A.P.A.): Informed Consent must be obtained Information about participants must be treated confidentially Protection against physical/psychological harm Limited deception; only if absolutely necessary Participants must be debriefed afterward Research proposals must first be screened by Institutional Review Board (I.R.B.)

What is a self-fulfilling prophecy in psychological research? Review What is a self-fulfilling prophecy in psychological research? What is a placebo effect? Identify two ways in which researchers can avoid a self-fulfilling prophecy on behalf of the researcher(s) and participant(s)?

Unethical Experiments https://youtu.be/Qu2YiK_t4Wc

Reminders Research Project Unit 2 Test: “Research Methods” Chapter 3: Notes