PSYC 2000 Chapter : Psychology
Psychology 1/13/2008 6:57:00 PM
Chapter 1 Introduction and reseach Methods
psyc- human mind and behavior
thoughts, motives, interaction w/ others
Assumptions of Science –
1. Order- things happen for a reason
2. Determinsim – every event has phy potentially measurable cause
Freewill
Phy reasons
3. Skepticism – doubts all claims not supported by solid research evidence
a lot of truths subject to change over time
pre marriage sex
legs of tables
4. Accuracy – evaluated info as carefully as possible
5. Objectivity – free of bias
Open-mindedness- willingness to change
Change opinion over sutable data
GOALS OF SCIENCE
1. Description – citing of observable characteristics
new or rare things . as much info as possible
Systematic – describe only relevant items
Precise- concrete descriptions- measurement- use of numbers
Operational definitions – definitions in terms of the procedures used to
measure or produce them
Ppl read research know what you are talking about
Ex. Blood alcohol content above .08 (drunk)
2. Prediction –
Hypothesis – testable prediction about relationship between two or more
factors
Theory – statements that summarize / explain research findings and from
which hypotheses are derived
Predictions about human behavior more accurate in regard to ppl in general
than to a specific person
in groups better then one person
3. Control – manipulating factors that affect thought and behavior
A. Experimental control – in research, controlling as many factors
as possible research
B. Everyday control – application of research findings to control
of behavior
4. Explanation – causes
SCIENTIFIC METHOLD
Series of steps to answer questions
1. Rationale / review relevant literature
A. Identify area
B Review research
1) operational definitions
2) Avoid needless replication
3) Put research into broader context
4) Other theories
2. Develop Hypothesis
3. Design Study / Collect data
4. Analyze data
A. Descriptive statistics – summarize data. Mean, variability
Ex. Average , how spread apart results are ,
B. Inferential statistics – compare groups
C. Discuss implications of research findings
5. Publish / Replicate
A. publish findings
B. replicate study
1) replicate exact study over and over ,
different ppl but everything else stays the same
2) replicate study w/ systematic variation of relevant variables
6. Build theory
TYPES OF RESEARCH
1. Descriptive research – systematic observations
describe things as they exist
No causation or prediction
Not say why things happen or if or what happen next
A. Naturalistic obervation
Ppl ober. Not know being observed
They will change there behavior
Hawthorne Effect-is observed change behavior
B. Ethnographic research
Research w/ different cultures
Spend time w/ ppl researching
C. Archival Research
D. Case studies
Rare
Intense studies of one person at a time
2. Correlational research – enables prediction
not able to produce miracle in society
Cannot introduce variable for ethical/logistical reasons
After Katrina study of stress
Correlation coefficient – degree of relationship between two or more
variables
How strong they are related =a number
Positive correlation coefficient
Summer higher gas price
Negative correlation coefficient
Ex. Police presents crime rate down
Ex. More something cost less ppl buy
Range – zero to absolute 1
CORRELATION DOES NOT EQUAL CAUSATION!!!!!
Violent video games not mean u violent
3. Experimental research – causal relationship
Need a sample of pop. – everyone who could be involved in your research
Representative sample – accurately reflects characteristics of pop.
If 1/3 poor then 1/3 in sample poor
Random sample – each participant in population is equally likely to be
chosen
Document Summary
Chapter 1 introduction and reseach methods psyc- human mind and behavior thoughts, motives, interaction w/ others. Assumptions of science : order- things happen for a reason, determinsim every event has phy potentially measurable cause. Goals of science: description citing of observable characteristics new or rare things . as much info as possible. Operational definitions definitions in terms of the procedures used to measure or produce them. Ppl read research know what you are talking about. Blood alcohol content above . 08 (drunk: prediction . Hypothesis testable prediction about relationship between two or more factors. Theory statements that summarize / explain research findings and from which hypotheses are derived. Predictions about human behavior more accurate in regard to ppl in general than to a specific person in groups better then one person: control manipulating factors that affect thought and behavior. Experimental control in research, controlling as many factors as possible research.
