PSYCH 1101 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Random Assignment, Caffeine, Bowling Ball
29 Aug 2016
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Gold standard of science because it can determine causality (control group vs. experimental group, random assignment, manipulate something (independent var), measure outcome (dependant var)) ex. The prediction- the mere presence of others has been shown to cause physiological arousal/stress. Stress/arousal inhibits relaxation of the muscles involved in urination. Therefore, the presence of others should delay the onset of urination. Independent var- whether there is someone near you. Results- randomly assigning people to stand next to people when they pee makes them take longer to pee. Not everything can be manipulated through random assignment (convenience, ethical considerations) Real world is complex so sometimes it won"t apply (experimentation requires an intentionally constrained, controlled, often artificial environment) (ex. Bowling ball and feather don"t usually hit the ground at same time in real world bc wind resistance unless super artificial vacuum environment) General principle- human beings learn behavior through observation and mimicry. Specific prediction- watching violent television will make people more violent.
