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Copyright © 2008 Allyn & Bacon

What Is Psychology?What Is Psychology?

Psychology is the science of mental processes and behavior.

◦What is science?◦What are mental processes?◦What is behavior?

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Ch. 1 Edited by Dr. Margaret Launius - Allyn & Bacon

Copyright 2002 2

Mental Health ProvidersMental Health ProvidersPsychiatrist

◦ M.D. - Physician◦ Prescribes drugs◦ Not trained for psychological tests

Clinical/Counseling Psychologist◦ Master’s, Ph.D., or Psy.D.◦ Therapy, research, teaching

Social worker◦ MSW; licensed◦ Helps families and individuals with psychotherapy◦ Helps clients use the social service system in their

communities

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Levels of AnalysisLevels of Analysis

The person

The group

The brain

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The Scientific MethodThe Scientific MethodWhat are the components of the

scientific method?◦ Specify a problem◦ Systematic observation

Data Replication

◦ Form a hypothesis◦ Test the hypothesis

Operational definition◦ Formulate a theory◦ Test the theory

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Descriptive ResearchDescriptive ResearchNaturalistic observation

◦Allows one to see patterns in the real world

Case studies◦Focus on a single interesting case in

detailSurveys

◦A set of questions put to a number of participants about their beliefs, attitudes, preferences, or activities

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Correlational ResearchCorrelational ResearchStudies where the relationships between two or more variables are measured but not manipulated

Examples:◦Family income and IQ score◦Height and shoe size◦MAO levels and thrill seeking

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CorrelationCorrelationStrength and direction

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Designing Experiments: Designing Experiments: Independent VariableIndependent Variable

The aspect of a situation that is intentionally varied while another aspect is measured

Examples:◦ Amount of practice allowed◦ Participants randomly assigned so that

they receive a drug or placebo◦ Visual or auditory stimuli present◦ Temperature of room

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Designing Experiments: Designing Experiments: Dependent VariableDependent Variable

The aspect of a situation that is measured while the independent variable is changed

Examples:◦Number of words recalled◦Speed of response◦Number of cigarettes smoked◦Electrical activity in the brain

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Designing Experiments: Designing Experiments: EffectsEffects

The difference in the dependent variable that is due to changes in the independent variable

Examples:◦Drug X impairs short-term memory.◦Visualization improves athletic

performance.◦Practice improves reading speed.

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ExperimentsExperimentsExperimental groupControl groupRandom assignmentStrength

◦Rigorous control, causal inferencesWeakness

◦Not all variables can be manipulated

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Quasi-ExperimentsQuasi-Experiments

Like experiments, but without random assignment

Strength◦Real-world phenomena that cannot

be studied in experimentsWeakness

◦Lack of control means limited causal inferences

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Being a Critical ConsumerBeing a Critical ConsumerReliabilityValidity

◦Face validity◦Content validity◦Criterion validity◦Construct validity

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Bias and ExpectationBias and Expectation

Response biasSampling biasExperimenter expectancy effects

◦Double-blind design

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PseudopsychologyPseudopsychologyUnsupported opinion pretending

to be psychological scienceWhat makes a discipline a

science?◦Is it the topic of study?◦Is it the method of study?

Examples◦ESP◦Astrology

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Ethics in ResearchEthics in ResearchInstitutional Review Board (IRB)Research with people

◦Informed consent◦Avoid deception unless necessary◦Debriefing

Research with animals◦Avoid mistreatment◦Proper housing

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