1. Myers Chapter 1 (D): Problems and Solutions in Research
A.P. Psychology

2. Do-Now (On Sheet)
Complete “Variables in Experimental Research” worksheet individually
Submit when finished

3. Problems in Experimental Research
What types of problems do you think psychological researchers may encounter when conducting experimental research?

4. Problems in Experimental Research
Self-Fulfilling Prophecy:
Researcher’s expectations influence his/her own behavior, and thereby influence the participant’s behavior (e.g. thinking a subject will respond in a certain way, and unassumingly acting in a manner that will cause the subject to then do so)

5. Problems in Experimental Research
Have you ever experienced a “self-fulfilling prophecy?”

6. Problems in Experimental Research
Placebo Effect:
A change in a participant’s behavior that results from a belief that the treatment will have an effect, rather than the actual treatment (e.g. participant thinks he/she is receiving “Red Bull,” but instead receives non-caffeinated soda, and still “feels energized”)

7. Solutions in Experimental Research
How can psychological researchers avoid self-fulfilling prophecies and placebo effects when conducting experimental research?

8. Solutions in Experimental Research
Single-Blind Procedure:
Participants are unaware of which participants received the treatment (e.g. participants do not know which participants received “Red Bull”)
Double-Blind Procedure:
Participants and experimenter(s) are unaware of which participants received the treatment (e.g. participants and experimenter(s) do not know which participants received “Red Bull”)

9. Solutions in Experimental Research
How do single-blind and
double-blind procedures
help avoid self-fulfilling prophecies on behalf of the experimenter
and participants?

10. Comparing Research Methods

11. Review What is a self-fulfilling prophecy in psychological research?
What is a placebo effect?
Identify two ways in which researchers can avoid a self-fulfilling prophecy on behalf of the researcher(s) and participant(s)?

12. “Creating an Experiment”
Directions:
Create a hypothetical psychological experiment that seeks to answer a question(s) that you may have.
Respond to Questions 1-10 pertaining to your hypothetical research experiment
Format:
Typed
Arial/Times New Roman
12-Point Font
1.5 Line Spacing

13. Homework
Unit 2 Quiz: “Research Methods”
“Creating an Experiment”