PSY 1113 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Helping Behavior, Naturalistic Observation, Dependent And Independent Variables

• School: University of Oklahoma
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSY 1113
• Professor: Dr.Jenel Cavazos

Document Summary

Five steps: observing some phenomenon, formulating hypotheses and predictions, testing through empirical research, drawing conclusions, evaluating conclusions (peer review) The scienti c method: variable: anything that can change. (ex: pupil size, theory: a broad explanation or prediction about the topic of interest. Not a law: hypothesis: a prediction that is stated in a way that allows it to be tested. (a theory leads to a hypothesis. It"s reworded to be more speci c and able to be tested. : operational de nition: the translation of a hypothesis into speci c, testable procedures. (ex: helping behavior) > helping behavior can vary case to case, but in kitty genovese"s case would have been by calling the police, but also going down to her. No one did, and her attacker returned to. Naturalistic observation: behavior is observed in its natural environment, with no interference: advantages: natural, spontaneous behavior, disadvantages: researcher has no control.