1. Formation of relationships Matching Hypothesis
Introduction to A2 Psychology

2. Thinking question
What is the purpose of an introduction in a psychological report?
Think back to research you have already seen...
Milgram
Kohlberg
Raine, Buchsbaum and LaCasse

3. Learning Objective:
To continue your personal investigation into the matching hypothesis.
Success Criteria:
Take part in a class discussion about the purpose of an introduction.
Create your own introduction, which should be roughly 600 words long.
Complete any final preparation for the ethics committee next lesson.

4. Introduction Write-up
In order to pass the ethics committee you need to have:
A project proposal form
A copy of your introduction to hand in
A consent form with 50 places to sign
Details of your method on standardised instructions

5. What is an Introduction?
The introduction should be about 600 words.
The purpose of this part of the report is to identify the background to your study. It should be explanation of where your research came from.
It should start at a broad topic level but then narrow down to include only two or three studies that are relevant to your study. A bit like a funnel!
This will then flow into how this triggered the idea for your project, and what your aims and hypothesis are based on.

6. Structure of the Introduction
Paragraph 1: This needs to be a general looking at reasons why people initiate romantic relationships with others e.g. when looking to develop romantic relationships with others people look to the appearance. The evolutionary theory suggests…
Paragraph 2: Introduce the matching hypothesis and explain what it is. Include the computer dance study carried out by Walster et al. (1966).
Paragraph 3: Introduce a second study that you have researched that is relevant to the matching hypothesis and discuss its findings.
Paragraph 4: Discuss how you intend to replicate Murstein’s (1972) study. Explain what the results show and why you are replicating it.
Finish with your aim and write your experimental and null hypotheses.

7. Peer Assessment Swap your introduction with someone in your group.
Read through their introduction.
Can you find any areas for improvement?

8. Learning Objective:
To continue your personal investigation into the matching hypothesis.
Success Criteria:
Take part in a class discussion about the purpose of an introduction.
Create your own introduction, which should be roughly 600 words long.
Complete any final preparation for the ethics committee next lesson.