Psychology = the scientific study of behavior and mental processes Psychology: An Introduction 12/e - Charles G. Morris & Albert A. Maisto (c) 2005 Prentice Hall

Psychology’s origins Psyche = Mind or Soul Logos = the study of . . .

Research Methods in Psychology Naturalistic Observation Systematic observation in natural setting The main drawback is observer bias Psychology: An Introduction 12/e - Charles G. Morris & Albert A. Maisto (c) 2005 Prentice Hall

Lab Observation Field or - "artificiality" contrived and artificial controlled Descriptive research "naturalness" typically employs a real–life setting

Research Methods in Psychology Case Studies Detailed description and analysis of one or a few people Prominent in psychology Observer bias is a problem Unable to make generalizations past person being studied Psychology: An Introduction 12/e - Charles G. Morris & Albert A. Maisto (c) 2005 Prentice Hall

Research Methods in Psychology Surveys Questionnaires or interviews, such as polls prior to an election Can generate a lot of information for a fairly low cost Questions must be constructed carefully… Psychology: An Introduction 12/e - Charles G. Morris & Albert A. Maisto (c) 2005 Prentice Hall

Research Methods in Psychology Correlational Research Research technique based on the naturally occurring relationship between two or more variables Often used to make predictions, such as the relation between SAT scores and school success Cannot be used to determine cause and effect Psychology: An Introduction 12/e - Charles G. Morris & Albert A. Maisto (c) 2005 Prentice Hall

Statistical Analysis: Positive Correlation high school GPA college GPA 25

Statistical Analysis: Negative Correlation age hair on head 26

Research Methods in Psychology Experimental Research The only research method that can be used to determine cause and effect Often called the experimental method *Most frequently used? Psychology: An Introduction 12/e - Charles G. Morris & Albert A. Maisto (c) 2005 Prentice Hall

Components of an Experiment Participants or subjects Independent variable (IV) Cause (what you are studying) This is the variable that is manipulated by the experimenter Dependent variable (DV) Effect (result of experiment) This is the variable that is measured by the experimenter Psychology: An Introduction 12/e - Charles G. Morris & Albert A. Maisto (c) 2005 Prentice Hall

Components of an Experiment Experimental group Receives treatment Control group Does not receive treatment, but is the same in every other way Psychology: An Introduction 12/e - Charles G. Morris & Albert A. Maisto (c) 2005 Prentice Hall

Problems with Experimental Method Subjects can change ordinary behavior. Subjects are chosen based on their availability. Results are often general.

Problems with Experimental Method Opinions of experimenters may influence subjects. Protection of subject’s privacy must occur.

Controlling Placebo Effects Single Blind Experiment: Only the subjects have no idea whether they get real treatment or placebo Double Blind Experiment: The subjects AND the experimenters have no idea whether the subjects get real treatment or placebo Best type of experiment if properly set up Herbal remedies may be based on placebo effect

Research Methods in Psychology Multimethod Research Studies often combine several methods Psychology: An Introduction 12/e - Charles G. Morris & Albert A. Maisto (c) 2005 Prentice Hall

The Importance of Sampling in Research Sample Small representative subset of a larger population Random sample Every subject had equal chance of being selected Representative sample Characteristics of participants correspond to larger population Psychology: An Introduction 12/e - Charles G. Morris & Albert A. Maisto (c) 2005 Prentice Hall