KIN 231.3 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Dependent And Independent Variables, Field Experiment
Research Methods KIN 231
JAN 9/18
Approaches in Social Psychology
Basic premise – social b’ is predictable.
Study of human social b’ has moved through different approaches.
Hollander (1967)
Social empiricism
Social Analysis
Seeks to understand the “hows” + “whys” of human social b’.
I.e. Don’t do well performing in front of others why?
Emphasizes theory devel’ based upon systematic observation.
- Collecting data w/a purpose.
Theory – i.e. Blueprint.
- A set of interrelated constructs (what we are interested in).
- Presents a systematic view of phenomena.
- Specifies the relation be/n these constructs.
- Purpose of explaining + predicting the phenomena.
Kerlinger (1967)
Cognitive Theories
Individual is a thinking person.
Cognitive theorists rely heavily on verbal b’ – infers patterns + processes of cognitive
organization.
Self-efficacy theory
Ways of Knowing (Pelham & Blanton, 2003)
1. Intuition – Implicit knowledge of the topic in the absence of formal training.
2. Tradition – Historically rooted knowledge w/no emphasis on current information.
3. Authorities – Experts whose opinions are the final word.
4. Logic – Knowledge generated through application of formal rules of reasoning.
5. Scientific Method
Social B’ + Scientific Method
A specific method to be followed in solving problems + thus acquiring a body of knowledge.
1. Ask a question.
2. Research your topic.
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
Study of human social b" has moved through different approaches. Seeks to understand the hows + whys of human social b". A set of interrelated constructs (what we are interested in). Cognitive theorists rely heavily on verbal b" infers patterns + processes of cognitive organization. A specific method to be followed in solving problems + thus acquiring a body of knowledge: ask a question, research your topic. Educated guess prediction: test your hypothesis, analyze your data, report your results. Independent variable (iv): the manipulated var. explaining (or causing) study outcomes. Dependent variable (dv): phenomenon of interest expected to change be/c of manipulating the ind. var. Hypothesis: educated guess re: the outcome of a research study. (trochim, 2001) Experiment: a situation in which one observes the rel"ship be/n two var. by deliberately producing a change in one + looking to see whether this alteration produces a change in the other.
