PSY 3300 Behavioral Research Methods Instructor: Dr. Cynthia Pietras

PSY 3300 Lect 1 2 Why is it important to learn about research methods? 1.Learn how to do research a)Be able to help people b)Doing research is fun! Science is 4 great jobs: 1)It’s being a detective – finding causes 2)It’s being an artist – creating new things and breaking new ground 3)It’s being an adventurer – discovering new things 4)It’s being a storyteller – sharing your discoveries with others (Lou Guillette)

PSY 3300 Lect 1 3 Write your responses: "What one thing in your life, if you could change it today, would have the most immediate and profound positive impact in your life?" "What one thing in the world, if you could change it today, would have the most immediate and profound positive impact on humankind?"

PSY 3300 Lect 1 4 Why is it important to learn about research methods? 2.Better understanding of psychology 3.Be able to read and evaluate research articles 4.Become more marketable in psychology and elsewhere 5.Develop your critical thinking skills: a)Understand the process of science b)Be able to distinguish between science and pseudoscience c)Protect yourself from being duped – be skeptical

PSY 3300 Lect 1 5 What is skepticism and critical thinking? Skepticism – being unwilling to accept information as true without confirming evidence. Always ask,“Where’s the evidence?” Critical thinking – acquiring information on an issue and carefully, objectively, and thoroughly, evaluating information before making a decision or coming to a conclusion

PSY 3300 Lect 1 6 Pseudoscience: definition and some characteristics Pseudoscience – a set of practices or beliefs about phenomena that are presented as if they were scientific but that are not based on scientific research. Characteristics: Reliance on case studies, testimonials (anecdotal evidence), not well controlled studies Studies that do not demonstrate the phenomenon are disregarded Explanations cannot be disproved or falsified Oversimplification of complex phenomena

PSY 3300 Lect 1 7 Pseudoscience: examples Palmistry, crystal ball and tarot card reading Astrology Healing magnets ESP Lucky streaks Psychics, prophets, channeling Déjà vu experiences Ghosts, poltergeists Alien abductions Disasters occurring in 3 s Bermuda Triangle Belief that more crimes occur under a full moon Belief that infertile couples are more likely to conceive after they adopt Facilitated communication Repressed memories Miracle diets Loch Ness Monster Unlucky “13” Body-typing and personality

PSY 3300 Lect 1 8 Some detrimental consequences of failing to engage in critical thinking/skepticism: Loss of money More effective practices may be ignored Slow the development of more effective practices Harm to people, other species, and the environment Manipulation of people

PSY 3300 Lect 1 9 Some beneficial consequences of skeptical thinking and the scientific approach: Adoption of more effective technologies More informed decision making Better understanding of natural processes Better prediction and control of events in our environment

PSY 3300 Lect 1 10 Critical thinking, skepticism, and science in psychology: Applying the scientific method to behavioral phenomena is particularly important because we are all “experts” We are surrounded by explanations of human behavior We form conclusions about behavior based on our own experiences (but they may be incorrect) – common sense may not be right. Approaches to behavior are embedded in our language and verbal practices To determine the causes of behavior, we must therefore take a scientific approach

PSY 3300 Lect 1 11 “The real purpose of [the] scientific method is to make sure Nature hasn’t misled you into thinking you know something you actually don’t know” R. Pirsig, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance

Common sense “truths” Look before you leap Absence makes the heart grow fonder Haste makes waste Two heads are better than one Better to be safe than sorry Opposites attract Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today He who hesitates is lost Out of sight, out of mind The early bird gets the worm Too many cooks spoil the broth Nothing ventured, nothing gained Birds of a feather flock together Cross that bridge when you come to it

Face on Mars A 2001 photo from the Mars Global Surveyor that reveals the true appearance of the Face. Images from www. science.nasa.gov A 1998 photo from the Mars Global Surveyor A 1976 Viking 1 photograph of the Face on Mars.

PSY 3300 Lect 1 14 “Cognitive” Biases ive_biases ive_biases

PSY 3300 Lect 1 15 Goals of course: provide an overview of the methods of science show how the scientific method is used in behavioral research encourage skepticism and teach you how to become a critical research consumer

PSY 3300 Lect 1 16 Over the next few days, pay attention to what you hear on the TV or radio, read in books, newspapers, magazines, or the internet, or hear in conversations. Find one example of pseudoscience (a claim not supported by evidence that takes the form of a scientific fact). In one page (typed and double-spaced) summarize the claim and describe why it is pseudoscience. Make sure you cite where the example came from, and staple it to the page if possible. Pseudoscience Assignment (see Assignment description for more details)