PSYC 215 Chapter Notes - Chapter 2: Balance Theory, Participant Observation, Dependent And Independent Variables

• School: McGill University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYC 215
• Professor: John Lydon

Document Summary

Research: hypotheses: predictions about what will happen under particular circumstances, test broader theories about behaviour. Theory: body of related propositions intended to describe aspects of the world: supported by empirical facts. Balance theory: if a likes b, b dislikes c, then a will dislike c or will dislike b: theory that people like to have consistent thoughts and behaviour. Hypotheses are tested by studies, which test predictions about what will happen in concrete contexts. Social psychs observe social situations in semiformal way: taking notes and interviewing participants. Tentative conclusions gleaned from observation should ideally be tested with other methods. Archival research: library, looking at evidence found in archives or various kinds, eg. Southerner"s respond more aggressively to insults than northerner"s- cohen/ Reserve causation: or does a third variable influence both/, can never be sure about causation, correlation cannot prove causation because of self-selection.