1. Psychological Research Chapter One

2. Pre-Assessment Answer the following questions with the best of your ability! 1) Can we study behavior? How? Why would we? 2) If we do study behavior, can we change it? 3) Why is it difficult to find “truth” in the process of psychological research? 4) How can someone's “common sense” be misleading? 5) Identify and explain the steps in the scientific method.

3. Directions  For the purpose of your notes and future assessments on any of these methods, it would be important to fill out the guide sheet as we go through this information.  You WILL be using these terms through an experiment you will be conducting for the Chapter One Exam.

4. Do we NEED a science of behavior?  Think about It!  Most of the world’s problems are problems of behavior (Skinner)  Pollution, war, overpopulation  Is Behavior predictable?  HOW?  Can we change behavior based on our predictions?  Determinism  Predeterminism -any outcome has a series of events, copy them, repeat them-same outcome  Soft Determinism -human choices are involved

5. The PITFALLS of our “Common Sense”  Although, to some extent, we outsmart computers, our intuition goes awry.  TO ERR is Human  Without scientific inquiry and critical thinking, I-Knew-it-all-along phenomenon plays a large role  We are overconfident of our judgments-we see the world in order to prove our point.  The science of Psychology gathers evidence and shifts through evidence to avoid error.  The scientific method can move our thinking from illusion to reality (or find “truth”)

6. What are the basic requirements for scientific work?  To have the understanding that:  Observations  Empiricism (the use of the senses to make observations) Does NOT always work to find truth  The proper attitude: Skepticism?  “Why would I believe this to be true or not true?”  The attitude of the world is that everything is Subjective  Subjective vs. Objective

7. The Scientific Method  What is the Scientific Method ?  Is the system of gather data so that bias and error in measurements are reduced.  It is used to test (hypotheses or predictions) to validate or refine a theory  One does not need proof to believe, but scientists need proof (in the form of objectively gathered evidence) to know.

8. What is your research question? What background research would you do? What is your answer to your question? How would you test your hypothesis? How would you gather information? How would you analyze it? Why should results be reported? How would report your results help you if your hypothesis was wrong?

9. The Steps in the Process Example: eating breakfast and student achievement

10. The Steps in the Process Example: student ACT/SAT scores and success in college

11. ARE YOU HUNGRY? Directions : (1)In three groups provide me with the directions on how to make a peanut butter sandwich. (2)Please take a look at the supplies at the table. I can only use those supplies. (3) At the end, sandwich's for everyone.

12. What was the purpose?

13. Types of Research Three Different Routes: 1) Descriptive Methods 2) Correlational Methods 3) Experimental Methods Is used to observe and record behavior Is used to detect naturally occurring relationships to assess how one variable predicts another Is used to explore cause and effect

14. Naturalistic Observations  The best way to look at behavior is to watch them behave in their normal environment.  Look but don’t touch  Why would it be different elsewhere?  What are some advantages?  What are some disadvantages?

15. Laboratory Observation  What would it be an advantage to use an artificial laboratory?  What would it be an disadvantage of using artificial laboratory?

16. Case Studies  An in-depth Treatment of one Case  Best used in usual Cases  Sigmund Freud-  Founded this type of observation  He gathered information about patients childhoods and relationships with other from the vary beginning lives. What are the advantages? What are the disadvantages?

17. Surveys  In this method, researchers will ask a series of questions about the topic they are studying.  It can be conducted in many ways: in person, on-line, over the phone, snail-mail  What are the advantages? What are the disadvantages?

18. Finding Relationships: Correlations  A Correlation -is a particular way of organizing numerical information so that it is easier to look for patterns in the information.  The goal is finding relationships between two or more variables.  A correlational Coefficient (r)- a) identifies the direction of the relationship B) its strength  It is based on ±1  If positive- ----the two variables increase in the same direction  If negative- ---the two variables have an inverse relationship

19. Correlations

20. Correlations: More examples

21. The Strength?  The strength of the relationship between the variables will be determined by an actual number itself.  It will always be between + 1.00 and -1.00  The negative number is the strength of the negative correlation  The positive number is the strength of the positive correlation  Numbers close to ZERO, Week the relationship -1 0 1 Weak Strength

22. The ABC Problem Among the elderly, one study found a high positive correlation between caffeine and Cognitive activity. What does this mean?

23. Correlations and Causation A Caffeine B Sexual Activity Which causes which?

24. ABC Problem A Caffeine B Sexual Activity C Lifestyle Differences?

25. Any other examples of the ABC concept?

26. Evaluating Correlations  What are the advantages?  What are the disadvantages?