Class Experiment Psych 231: Research Methods in Psychology

Class experiment Today going to go over the design and procedures for the class experiment. Make sure that you downsload the experiment packet and bring to labs this week

Memory Demonstration Instructions (1/2 the class) : I’m going to read a list of words. Please listen to each word on the list. After each word I’d like you to respond ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ whether the word has a letter ‘a’ in it After I’m done, please count backwards by threes from the number that I give you. Then I’ll tell you to write down as many of the words as you can. Any questions? Read list 683

Recall Please recall as many of the items now (write them down). Check : apple interest theory ocean pencil moral microscope anger chance baby car hammer fate happiness book effort bird money hope knowledge

The issues What variables might influence performance on a memory task like this? We’ll select two things: Type of word - abstract or concrete Level of processing - how “deeply” the words are processed

The issues What variables might influence performance on a memory task like this? We’ll select two things: Type of word - abstract or concrete Level of processing - how “deeply” the words are processed

Word type apple interest theory ocean pencil moral microscope anger chance baby car hammer fate happiness book effort bird money hope knowledge

Word type apple interest theory ocean pencil moral microscope anger chance baby car hammer fate happiness book effort bird money hope knowledge Concrete words Abstract words Concrete words Abstract words Go ahead and count up how many abstract and how many concrete words you remembered.

The issues What variables might influence performance on a memory task like this? We’ll select two things: Type of word - abstract or concrete Level of processing - how “deeply” the words are processed

Memory Demonstration Instructions (the other 1/2 of the class) : I’m going to read a list of words. Please LISTEN to each word on the list. After each word I’d like you to respond ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ whether the word is something that you associate with your experience at Illinois State University After I’m done, please count backwards by threes from the number that I give you. Then I’ll tell you to write down as many of the words as you can. Read list 537

Recall Please recall as many of the items now (write them down). Check : apple interest theory ocean pencil moral microscope anger chance baby car hammer fate happiness book effort bird money hope knowledge

Levels of processing BOOK CAR DESK DRESSER FLOWER MAGAZINE happiness Shallow: Is there an “a” happiness Deep: Related to ISU Two levels of processing:

The issues What are the issues that we’re looking at? What is the Dependent variable? Construct? Operationalized? What is/are the Independent variable(s)? Word type Op: words rated as abstract or concrete Level of processing Op: “does word have an ‘a’ in it?” “is the word related to ISU experience?” accurate recall of words from list memory

The design How many conditions do we have? What is the design of the study? 2 factors What are your predictions? ISU related“a” in it Level of processing Concrete Word type Abstract

Class experiment I have put the materials together and posted them on the syllabus (click on “class experiment) Your homework is to Download “Exp packet” Find two volunteers Collect some data Bring the data back to class on Monday I will compile and analyze the results Based on this experiment and these results you will produce an APA style research report

Class experiment In the packet you’ll find: Instructions To create the stimuli To read to your participants For compiling the data (data sheet provided) Two consent forms Debriefing sheet

The Procedure Find 2 volunteers Test each participant (one-at-a-time, in one of the conditions) (Across your 2 volunteers, you should have tested all 4 conditions) Following presentation of the word list Have them count backwards by 3s for 15 sec. Ask them to recall as many of the words as they can (have them write them down) Shuffle the word order (the cards) before each participant Count up the number of correctly recalled abstract and concrete words and enter this information into the data summary sheet Bring the data back to class on Monday

The design What do we need to control? Presentation rate Amount of time for recall Number of items on the list Actual items on the list Any other things we need to think about? Ethics Consent form, debriefing I have create these and they are part of the experiment packet that you download 90 seconds 20 items Same concrete and abstract words 1 second per item

The class paper Complete APA style research report Intro There are 3 required readings which you must include these in your introduction Kroll & Merves (1986) Craik & Tulving (1975) Groninger & Groninger (1982) Additionally, you must find at least 1 additional article to include in your introduction Methods, Results, References, etc. Two drafts (see web pages for specific details) 1st: due week 10 Final: due week 15