1. Methodology of the Behaviourist Approach

2. Today’s lesson
Be able to understand what is meant by “methodology” and “research” in psychology.
Look at the characteristics, the strengths and weaknesses of lab experiments with humans
Look at the strengths and weaknesses of lab experiments with animals

3. What is research? How we find out things about behaviour.
Research in psychology is a way of separating fact from opinion
Some research methods are associated with certain approaches.
In this topic, you need to make the link between a methodology and an approach.

4. What is research? There are many types of research method TASK
How many ways can you think of to investigate human behaviour? Think about the research we have looked at so far during this topic.

5. Methodology 1: Laboratory experiments with humans
Conducted in a lab – a controlled environment
Independent variable
What the experimenter has control over and manipulates
Dependent variable
What is affected by the independent variable and measured
TASK
Identify the IV and DV for the lab studies

6. Methodology 1: Laboratory experiments with humans
Key features
Controlled, artificial setting
Standardised procedures
Manipulation of IV, measuring of DV
Participants know they are in a study
Usually, many people are tested
TASK
Look back to the assumptions of the behaviourist approach. Why do you think behaviourists may like using lab experiments?

7. Methodology 1: Laboratory experiments with humans
We have come across one key lab study in the behaviourist approach: Bandura (1961)
TASK
Read the recap of Bandura, and complete the information.

8. Methodology 1: Laboratory experiments with humans
TASK
Read the evaluation points. Highlight the important information

9. Some new terminology Ecological Validity TASK
How well a study can be related to or reflects everyday real life. 
Studies with high ecological validity can be generalised beyond the setting they were carried out in, whereas studies low in ecological validity cannot.
TASK
How ecologically valid was Bandura’s experiment?

10. Some new terminology Demand Characteristics TASK
When participants know that they are in a study, their behaviour may change. They may try to please the experimenter, or try to mess it up.
In either case, their behaviour becomes invalid
TASK
Could there have been demand characteristics in Bandura’s experiment?

11. Some new terminology Experimenter Effects TASK
The experimenter may inadvertently or deliberately alter the behaviour of the participants in the experiment. Possibly by tone of voice or body language etc
Again, this may lead to behaviour which is not valid
TASK
Could there have been experimenter effects in Bandura’s experiment?

12. Methodology 2: Laboratory experiments with animals
What experiments in the behaviourist approach use animals?

13. Methodology 2: Laboratory experiments with animals
One way of studying human behaviour is to carry out experiments on animals, and generalise the results to humans.
Gives the opportunity to carry out experiments which would be too unethical or impractical to carry out on humans.

14. Methodology 2: Laboratory experiments with animals
Behaviourists assume that there are few differences between animals and humans. Therefore we can generalise results.
Also allows greater control over the environment
Remember the behaviourist assumption?
Key features
Similar to lab studies with humans; manipulation of IV, controlled environment etc.
However, more control than using humans.

15. Methodology 2: Laboratory experiments with animals
TASK
Briefly describe Skinner and Pavlov’s research. Briefly describe what they did, being sure to use the terms IV and DV, controlled environment and standardised procedures

16. Methodology 2: Laboratory experiments with animals
TASK
With the person sat next to you, think up as many pros and cons about using animals in psychological experiments as you can.
Don’ t cheat by reading ahead!
Read the evaluation and highlight the key points

17. Group Task
For one of the methodologies, create a poster which outlines the strengths and weaknesses of the method
BUT: you can only use 4-5 words for each point. Use visual representations

18. Ethical Guidelines
You are the head of the psychology research department at a university. Some of your students are about to conduct research using animals.
What 3 rules would you insist that they follow?

19. Ethical Guidelines The Experimental Psychology Society (1986)
Minimise stress and suffering for all animals
Always consider the possibility of other options to animal research
Be as economical as possible in the number of animals used

20. Homework
5: Explain and evaluate the methodology used in the behaviourist approach (12)
AO3 question
Be sure to read the advice on page 6 as well as the “how to answer exam questions” handout.
Date Due: ___________________-