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Psychology

Introduction & Research

+Scientific Method

Orderly, systematic procedures researchers follow

identify a research problem, design a study to investigate the problem, collect & analyze data, draw conclusions, and communicate findings

Best method for acquiring knowledge because information is least compromised by biases, preconceptions, personal beliefs, and emotions

+Theory vs. Hypothesis

A THEORY explains how facts are related

It is developed from an HYPOTHESIS

It has been tested & researched

An HYPOTHESIS is a prediction about a relationship or an educated guess to explain some observable phenomenon

Scientists test an HYPOTHESIS to see if it is really true & it might become a THEORY

Theory Hypothesis

+Goals of Psychology

+Critical Thinking

+Descriptive Research Methods

Goal of psychology is to DESCRIBE

These yield descriptions of behavior—NOT explanations or the causes of the behavior

+Experimental Methods

What are the causes?

Goal of psychology is to EXPLAIN

Independent & dependent variables

Cause & effect relationship

Control groups

Bias

Placebo

+Other Research Methods

Goal is to EXPLAIN

Used when you cannot apply the EXPERIMENTAL method

+Reliability vs. Validity

Ability of a test to yield nearly the same scores when the same people are tested and then retested using the same test or an alternate form of the test

You can count on the results being about the same each time you give the test: consistency

The ability of a test to measure what it is intended to measure

Is the test really measuring what you want it to?

Reliability Validity

+Psychological Research

Must be voluntary & give informed consent

APA says deception is “OK” if (1) if it is justified; (2) not deceived about physical risks; and (3) participants are debriefed