Psychology 1000 Chapter Notes - Chapter 2: Blind Experiment, Confounding, Social Desirability Bias

• School: Western University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: Psychology 1000
• Professor: Dr.Mike

Document Summary

Testing hypothesis through experiments and research: define variables. Analyzing data and drawing tentative conclusions and reporting findings. Building a body of knowledge, such as theories and new hypotheses. Predictions made by theory supported by new findings from research. Conforms to occam"s razor (simplest explanation is usually the most correct one) Variable, a factor in an experiment that is different from individual to individual, can change and alter the outcome. Operational definitions to define variables, translate abstract variable into something that can be measured. Ask the individual to report on beliefs, feelings, etc. Self reports can be altered due to social desirability bias, the desire to conform to the norm instead of what you really believe. Observers use a coding system so measurements are reliable. Unobtrusive measures, prevent individual from observing researcher. Archival measures, use research that already exists. Descriptive: how or why an individual behaves in its natural settings, provide information about variety of behavior and see cause-effect relationships.