Chapter: 2 Research Methods

Front 1

Pyschology as a Science

Back 1

-Attempts to describe, predict, and explain thought and behavior

-uses scientific method

Front 2

Modern Views

Back 2

-Electic

-Approach problems from multiple perspectives

-Believe behaviors have multiple causes which they study

Front 3

Theories

Back 3

-Organized systems of assumption that explain phenomena and their interrelationships

Front 4

Hypotheses

Back 4

-Educated guess that attempts to predict or account for a situation or specify relationships among variables

Front 5

Operational Definitions

Back 5

-Define terms in hypotheses by specifying the operations for observing and measuring the process/phenomenon

Front 6

Research Methods

Back 6

-Naturalistic Observation

-Laboratory Observation

-Case studies

-Surveys

-Experiments

-Experiments of Nature

Front 7

Naturalistic Observation

Back 7

Ex: Observe behavior in its natural setting, attempts to avoid influencing or controlling it

Advantage: Good way to collect normative data

Disadvantage: You have to wait for behavior to occur naturally

Front 8

Surveys

Back 8

-Collect data from groups of people using questionnaires or interviews

-Data is useless unless sample is representative

Advantage: can collect information such as attitude/beliefs

Disadvantage: Subjects may lie or mislead

Front 9

Case Studies

Back 9

-Observe one or a very few subjects in great depth usually over a long period of time

Example: (Genie)

Advantage: The only method appropriate for very unusual cases

Disadvantage: Problems with generalizing the results

Front 10

Phineas Gage

Back 10

-(1800's)

- Survived an accident that changed his personality

Front 11

Correlations Designs

Back 11

-The preceding methods are correlational

-Determine if x and y go togther but not if x causes y

Front 12

Correlation Coefficient

Back 12

-Numerical representation of the relationship between two variables

-Range from -1.00 / + 1.00

Example: + 1.00 perfect direct relationship (As one's height increases so does his/her shoe size)

-1.00 perfect inverse relationship (The more I drink starbucks less money in bank)

Front 13

Correlation

Back 13

-Cannot imply causation due to (Directionality problems, 3rd variables)

Front 14

Experiments

Back 14

-Can make causal claims

Advantage: -manipulation removes confounds.

-Random assignment of subjects.

Disadvantage: -Peoples behavior changes during experiments

-Artifical environment results are less applicable to the real world

Front 15

Independent Varibale

Back 15

- What is being handled? (Manipulated)

Front 16

Dependent Variable

Back 16

-What is being measured?

Front 17

Humans (subjects used in Psychological Research)

Back 17

- 90% volunteer or paid for their time (most college students)

Front 18

Animals (subjects used in Psychological Research)

Back 18

- 10% raised in laboratories usually albino rats or primates

Front 19

Informed Consent

Back 19

-Prospective should receive enough info to let them discuss freely whether to participate.

Freedom: to withdraw at any time

-Minimize discomfort

-Keep data confidential

Front 20

Deception (unethical)

Back 20

- 1960 Milgram Experiment

(Teacher who administered shock (25-450mV to a learner if he/she answered incorrectly)

Front 21

Ethics of studying animals

Back 21

-To conduct basic research

-to discover practical applications

-To study issues that cannot be studies experimentally with human beings

-To clarify theoretical questions

-To improve human welfare

Front 22

Descriptive Research

Back 22

-Naturalistic Observation, surveys, case studies

Front 23

Correlational Research

Back 23

-Relationships only no cause and effect

Front 24

Experimental

Back 24

-Manipulat variables, cause/effect determined but artifical environment alters behavior