1. + Psychology Introduction & Research

2. + Scientific Method Orderly, systematic procedures researchers follow identify a research problem, design a study to investigate the problem, collect & analyze data, draw conclusions, and communicate findings Best method for acquiring knowledge because information is least compromised by biases, preconceptions, personal beliefs, and emotions

3. + Theory vs. Hypothesis A THEORY explains how facts are related It is developed from an HYPOTHESIS It has been tested & researched An HYPOTHESIS is a prediction about a relationship or an educated guess to explain some observable phenomenon Scientists test an HYPOTHESIS to see if it is really true & it might become a THEORY TheoryHypothesis

4. + Goals of Psychology DescribeExplain PredictControl

5. + Critical Thinking Independent thinking Modify or abandon prior judgments Willing to suspend judgment

6. + Descriptive Research Methods Goal of psychology is to DESCRIBE These yield descriptions of behavior—NOT explanations or the causes of the behavior Naturalistic observation Case Study Survey

7. + Experimental Methods What are the causes? Goal of psychology is to EXPLAIN Independent & dependent variables Cause & effect relationship Control groups Bias Placebo Experimental Method

8. + Other Research Methods Goal is to EXPLAIN Used when you cannot apply the EXPERIMENTAL method Correlational Method Psychological Tests Meta-Analysis

9. + Reliability vs. Validity Ability of a test to yield nearly the same scores when the same people are tested and then retested using the same test or an alternate form of the test You can count on the results being about the same each time you give the test: consistency The ability of a test to measure what it is intended to measure Is the test really measuring what you want it to? ReliabilityValidity

10. + Psychological Research Must be voluntary & give informed consent APA says deception is “OK” if (1) if it is justified; (2) not deceived about physical risks; and (3) participants are debriefed