1. Unit 1: Science of Psychology
CHS AP Psychology
Unit 1: Science of Psychology
Essential Task 1-4: Differentiate types of Research with regard to purpose, strengths and weaknesses
-Descriptive Research: Case Studies, Naturalistic Observation and Surveys
-Correlational Research
-Experimental Research
Logo Green is R=8 G=138 B= Blue is R= 0 G=110 B=184
Border Grey is R=74 G=69 B=64

3. Hypothesis
Hypothesis is a testable prediction that lets us accept, reject or revise a theory. EX:“If families do not stress gender differences then there will be fewer sex differences in siblings.” 3

4. Theory 2. Predict new discoveries 3. Be falsifiable
Theory is an EXPLANATION based on evidence that PREDICTS behaviors or events.
A Theory must:
1. Fit the known facts
2. Predict new discoveries
3. Be falsifiable
4. Be simple. The simpler the better.
It answers only part of the question. If it were answer the whole question, it would be a LAW.
If we were to observe that depressed people talk about their past, present, and future in a gloomy manner, we may theorize that low-self-esteem contributes to depression. 4

5. Start with observations
Observe and describe the world with descriptive research
Form a hypothesis from your observations
Test your hypothesis.
Re-test your hypothesis
Then test it again.
If it holds up, you have a theory

6. 1. Observe the physiological reactions to fear
Pupils dilate
Flushing
Breathing increases
Heart beat increases
Sphincters release
All of these shots are taken from the Fear Factory at Niagara falls. Pictures are taken the moment a very scary thing happens much like ride photos on a amusement park ride.

8. Form Hypothesis from your observations
If humans have a physiological reaction to a stimulus, they will experience an emotion. (James-Lange Theory of Emotion)

9. Descriptive Research Purpose – To describe what is in reality
Strengths
Certain descriptive research methods can be quick
You can generalize (apply to more than just those from which you sampled) your findings with some descriptive research methods
Weaknesses
Can’t help you predict
Can’t give you cause and effect
Each descriptive research method has their own weaknesses as well

10. Descriptive Research DESCRIBES

11. 3 Types of Descriptive Research
Naturalistic Observation
Case Studies
Surveys
FYI- at the end of the PowerPoint, there is a chart with the strengths and weaknesses of each of these research methods. You don’t have to write much of anything until the end, if you want. 

12. Naturalistic Observation
What is it?
A descriptive research method involving the systematic study of animal or human behavior in natural settings rather than the laboratory
Huh?
Researcher describes the behavior of the human or animal in their natural settings

13. Naturalistic Observation
Strengths
The behavior is more natural than if they were in the lab
Weaknesses
Can not replicate. Replication involves the process of repeating a study using the same methods, different subjects, and different experimenters. If you can’t replicate you can’t retest the results or apply them to new situations to see just how generalizable it is.
Can not generalize (apply them to new situations) your findings.
Observer bias - occurs when the observers (or researcher team) know the goals of the study or the hypotheses and allow this knowledge to influence their observations during the study

14. Naturalistic Observations

15. Case Studies What is it? Purpose? How?
Study of a single individual or just a few individuals in order to describe their situation.
Purpose?
Take advantage of situation that you can not replicate (make happen again)
How?
Gather as much evidence as you can: Observation, scores on psychological tests, interviews, medical records etc.

16. Two most famous case studies in psychology
Genie
Phineas Gage

17. Survey
What is it?
Descriptive research technique in which questionnaires or interviews are administered to a selected group of people.
Huh?
To describe a large group of people you ask them carefully worded questions.

18. Survey
PASCO
High School
Strengths
You can generate a lot of information for a fairly low cost
Overcomes the false consensus effect
If you randomly sampled then you can generalize your findings to the population from which you sampled.
Chiawana
High School

19. Survey Weaknesses Wording Effect Social Desirability Effect
Wording can change the results of a survey.
Should cigarette ads be allowed on television?
Should cigarette ads be forbidden on television?
Social Desirability Effect
If directly asked about a sensitive subject, we may alter our answer to what we think is socially acceptable.

20. Random Sampling
Sampling in which each potential population member has an equal chance of being surveyed.
Can’t just pull names from a hat
Alphabetical list and pick every 10th name (or something to that effect where everyone has the same chance to get chosen)

21. But to all of those who were mailed surveys, only 4% responded.
Non-response Bias
Women and Love study done by Shere Hite 1974
98% Dissatisfied by their Marriage
75% Extramarital Affairs
But to all of those who were mailed surveys, only 4% responded. 21

22. When randomly sampled via replication by other psychologists:
93% of women are satisfied in their marriages
Only 7% had affairs 22

23. Comparison Research Method Advantages Limitations Naturalistic
Observation
More accurate than reports after the fact
Behavior is more natural
Observer can alter behavior
Observer Bias
Not generalizable
Case Studies
Depth
Takes advantage of circumstances that can not be replicated
Time consuming and expensive
Observational Bias
Surveys
Immense amount of data
Quick and inexpensive
Generalizable
Replicable
Poor sampling can skew results
Wording Effect
Social Desirability Bias
Comparison 23