1. Thinking Critically With Psychological Science Chapter 1 – Discussion 9 Why do correlations permit prediction but not explanation?

2. Correlation Three Possible Cause-Effect Relationships or or
could cause
(1)
Low self-esteem
Depression or
(2)
Depression
could cause
Low self-esteem or
Low self-esteem
(3)
Distressing events
or biological
predisposition
could cause
and
Depression

3. Correlation
An important point to remember: Correlation does NOT imply causation! Correlation indicates the possibility of a cause effect relationship between two variables, but it does NOT prove which one causes the other!

4. Thinking Critically With Psychological Science Chapter 1 – Discussion 10 How accurately does the naked eye detect correlations?

5. Illusory Correlation Illusory Correlation
the perception of a relationship where none exists
Are parents who adopt more likely to conceive?
Conceive
Do not conceive
Adopt
Do not
adopt
disconfirming
evidence
confirming

6. Two Random Sequences
Your chances of being dealt either of these hands is precisely the same: 1 in 2,598,960.

7. Thinking Critically With Psychological Science Chapter 1 – Discussion 11 How do experiments clarify or reveal cause-effect relationships?

8. Experimentation Experiment
an investigator manipulates one or more factors (independent variables) to observe their effect on some behavior or mental process (the dependent variable)
by random assignment of participants the experiment controls other relevant factors

9. Experimentation Double-Blind Procedure Placebo
both the research participants and the research staff are ignorant (blind) about whether the research participants have received the treatment or a placebo
commonly used in drug-evaluation studies
Placebo
an inert substance or condition that may be administered instead of a presumed active agent, to see if it triggers the effects believed to characterize the active agent

10. Experimentation Experimental Condition Control Condition
the condition of an experiment that exposes participants to the treatment, that is, to one version of the independent variable
Control Condition
the condition of an experiment that contrasts with the experimental treatment
serves as a comparison for evaluating the effect of the treatment

11. Experimentation Random Assignment
assigning participants to experimental and control conditions by chance
minimizes pre-existing differences between those assigned to the different groups

12. Experimentation Independent Variable Dependent Variable
the experimental factor that is manipulated
the variable whose effect is being studied
Dependent Variable
the experimental factor that may change in response to manipulations of the independent variable
in psychology it is usually a behavior or mental process

13. Experimentation

14. Research Strategies Design of the subliminal tapes experiment
Subliminal tape content
Self-esteem
Memory
Tape label
Design of the subliminal tapes experiment

15. Thinking Critically With Psychological Science Chapter 1 – Discussions 12 – 18
Frequently asked questions about Psychology

16. Frequently Asked Questions About Psychology
12: Can laboratory experiments illuminate everyday life?

17. Frequently Asked Questions About Psychology
13: Does behavior depend on one’s culture and gender?
Culture - the shared ideas and behaviors that one generation passes on to the next

18. Frequently Asked Questions About Psychology
14: Why do psychologists study animals?
Is it ethical to experiment on animals?
15: Is it ethical to experiment on people?

19. Frequently Asked Questions About Psychology
16: Is psychology free of value judgments?

20. Frequently Asked Questions About Psychology
17: Is psychology potentially dangerous?

21. Tips for Studying Psychology
18: How can psychological principles help you as a student?
Distribute your time
Learn to think critically
In class, listen actively
Overlearn
Be a smart test-taker