Introduction to Psychology

Psychology’s Roots Early History Trephining : chipping a Wilhelm Wundt hole in a patient's skull. Evil sprits could then escape! Wilhelm Wundt Established the first experimental laboratory devoted to psychology. Structuralism Focused on the basic building blocks of perception, consciousness, thinking, and emotions - Introspection

Psychology’s Roots Functionalism Moved from structure to the role behaviour plays in allowing people to adapt to their environments William James Gestalt Psychology “the whole is different from the sum of its parts” Ebbinghaus

Gestalt psychology

Activity Schools of Thought Worksheet

Psychology as a science Psychology uses the scientific method to find answers to our questions

What is a theory? List some famous theories Theory of Relativity (E=mc2) - Einstein Evolutionary Theory – Darwin Theory of Gravity – Newton Quantum Mechanics Big Bang Theory Structural Theory – Wundt Functional Theory – James Gestalt Theory – Kohler Behavioural Theory – Skinner Psychoanalytic Theory – Freud Humanistic Theory – Maslow Cognitive Theory – Piaget, Bandura (CANADIAN!)

What is a Theory? A principle or set of rules that are created to explain why and how events occur Organizes facts Guides research A theory needs to be falsifiable This means that can be tested and rejected if the theory does not stand true Remember that a theory is not a certainty… it cannot be completely proven or disproven

To create a theory, we need to do research!

Types of research There are two ways to conduct research: basic and applied Basic research investigates topics to seek new knowledge and to explore general science and understanding Applied research solves practical problems; focused on influencing behaviours

Research methods Descriptive Research Methods: Experimental Method Naturalistic observation Laboratory observation Case study Survey Experimental Method Correlational Method Psychological Tests

Descriptive research methods Naturalistic Observation: the researcher observes and records behaviours in a natural setting; participants may or may not know they are being observed Researcher watching students play at recess Laboratory Observation: the researcher observes and records behaviours in a controlled environment; participants usually know they are being observed Observation in a play area Case Study: an in-depth study, usually long-term, of a participant using observation, interviews, or psychological testing The study of Genie – “feral girl” Survey: interviews or questionnaires used to gather information about behaviours, beliefs, etc Stress questionnaires

Experimental method Using manipulation of variables (independent and dependent), and random assignment of participants into groups; results are measured Independent variable: The variable that is manipulated by an experimenter Dependent variable: The variable that is measured and is expected to change as a result of the IV A psychologist wants to determine whether caffeine has an effect on grades. He gives the experimental group of students coffee and the control group receives no coffee, he then gives both groups of students a test. What is the DV? IV?

Correlational method Determines whether a relationship exists between two variables (events, characteristics, behaviours) Does not rule causation Can have a strong, weak, positive or negative relationship

Psychological tests Tests which are taken by participants that can measure certain variables (intelligence, stress level, personality traits, aptitudes, etc)

Activity – Research Methods Worksheet

Avoiding Experimental Bloopers Experimenter Bias Experimenter Expectations Participant Expectations

Experimenter Bias

Thought experiment You are a College Professor conducting research on the effects of caffeine on your dreams. You have a limited budget to conduct this study. What research method would you choose? Why?

Thought experiment con’t After you have decided which research method to use, who will you be conducting your research on? Who will be your participants? Remember you want to be able to generalize your findings to the general public and you have limited funds.

Participants in research In a perfect world, participants should be a group of people that represent the general population – they should represent different races, religions, genders, ages, opinions, SES, etc. (Unless the study calls for specific participants) However, many variables limit this (funding, availability, etc.)

So where do we get our participants? Participants are usually college/university students who are encouraged to participate in the study by their Professors There is usually a payment for participation or the student will receive a bonus mark in the course There tends to be an over-representation of males, and Caucasians

What can we do to make our study generalizable?

Animal studies

Animal studies… bittersweet Animal studies have been very useful in psychological studies The use of animals have allowed psychologists to understand and develop vital theories Today, animal rights are protected by the Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists and the Canadian Council on Animal Care However, it has not always been this way…

Ethics To protect the rights of both humans and animals ethical standards must be in place Studies must be approved by an ethics committee, using the guidelines provided by the Canadian Psychological Association It is very important that these guidelines are followed as people have different views on what they deem as ethical behaviour