1. Human Diversity Why learn about human diversity?
Psychologists have begun to examine assumptions based on gender, race, and culture.
[] Why learn about human diversity?
Today, understanding human diversity is essential.
Major cities are home to people from diverse backgrounds with diverse values and goals.
But close proximity does not produce harmony.
[] Psychologists have begun to examine assumptions based on gender, race, and culture.
e.g. Are women more likely than men to help a person in distress? (etc.)

2. Gender Gender stereotypes Feminist psychology Sexual orientation
The study of gender similarities and differences has become part of mainstream psychology.
Gender stereotypes--how males and females are “typically” like
Gender roles--cultural expectations about how members of each sex are to behave
[] Feminist psychology
Result of concern over results of many studies based on subjects who were all male.
Results of gender differences were often interpreted to show women as “lacking,”
and small differences were considered extreme.
Research questions posed by female psychologists can vary from what male psychologists pose.
[] Sexual orientation
Basis of sexual attraction--same sex, opposite sex, or both.
Research in this area is still just beginning.

3. Race and Ethnicity
Most ethnic minorities are still underrepresented within the field.
Psychologists are working to uncover and overcome biases in psychological research.
[] Most ethnic minorities are still underrepresented among the ranks of psychologists.
New APA programs are in place to attract ethnic-minority students to psychology.
[] Psychologists are working to uncover and overcome biases in psychological research.
Psychologists have developed a better appreciation for the unique challenges faced by individuals from various ethnic backgrounds.
Field is developing a highly expansive and inclusive approach.

4. Culture
Modes of thinking, acting, and communicating about how the world works and why people behave as they do
Culture influences
Cross-cultural research
[] Modes of thinking, acting, and communicating about how the world works and why people behave as they do
[] Culture influences
Much of what we think of as defining us as human are elements of culture--
Beliefs and ideals
Interpretation of the meaning of natural events, human actions and life itself.
[] Cross-cultural research

5. Research Methods

6. Naturalistic Observation
Observing and recording the behavior of humans or animals in their natural environment
Advantages?
Disadvantages?
[] Naturalistic Observation
Observing and recording the behavior of humans or animals in their natural environment
[] Advantages
can observe what occurs before and after target behavior
insight into the important factors to study
no artificiality of the laboratory
[] Disadvantages
less control over variables
cannot imply causality
observer bias
target behavior only occurs once

7. Case Studies
Detailed description of a single individual or just a few individuals.
Advantages?
Disadvantages?
Case Studies
[] Detailed description of a single individual or just a few individuals.
[] Advantages
rich description of an individual
each individual serves as own control
no large groups of participants
no random assignment
[] Disadvantages
observer bias
generalizability is decreased by small sample size
the individual being studied may be an exception

8. Surveys
Questionnaires or interviews are administered to a selected group of people.
Advantages?
Disadvantages?
Surveys
[] A research technique in which questionnaires or interviews are administered to a selected group of people.
[] Advantages
large quantity of information
relatively inexpensive
[] Disadvantages
respondents may not be representative
response biases
truthfulness of responses

9. Correlational Research
To find a relationship between two or more variables
Advantages?
Disadvantages?
Correlational Research
[] A research technique based on finding if there is a naturally occurring relationship between two or more variables.
[] Advantages
description and prediction possible
[] Disadvantages
no control over variables
cannot imply cause-and-effect

10. Experimental Method
An investigator deliberately manipulates some variable and measures the effects on subsequent behavior.
Independent variable
Dependent variable
Experimental group
Treatment group
Advantages?
Disadvantages?
Experimental method
[] An investigator deliberately manipulates selected events or circumstances and then measures the effects of those manipulations on subsequent behavior.
Independent variable:
The variable that is manipulated by the experimenter to test its effects
Dependent variable:
The variable that is measured to see how it is changed by the independent variable
Experimental group:
The group subjected to a change in the independent variable
Control group:
The group not subjected to a change in the independent variable
[] Advantages
conclusions about causality can be made
[] Disadvantages
behavior is constrained to laboratory
Important to avoid experimenter bias
more ethical considerations
Many researchers will use different methods to study the same phenomenon, or multimethod research.

11. Sampling Sample Random sample Representative sample Sampling
The importance of sampling derives from how choice of participants could influence findings, unintentionally.
[] Sample
Selection of cases from a larger population
[] Random sample
Each potential participant has an equal chance of being selected
[] Representative sample
The characteristics of the participants corresponds closely to the characteristics of the larger population