Psychology - Unit 1

Personal Trading Cards

1. Draw a self-portrait on the top half of the card.

2. Write your name under your portrait.

3. Add a fun fact about yourself.

Trade as many times as you can until time is called.

Remember as much as you can - there will be a quiz!

Don't Smile...

1. You must be looking at other people

2. If you smile, you are out!

About Psychology:

1. The study of behavior/mental processes.

2. Elective credit.

3. Intro to college courses.

4. Homework load.

5. Binder for class (can be combined with other classes.)

Spider Web

All team members must get through the web without talking OR touching it!

Crash Course

The Scientific Method

Phineas Gage

Historical Social Network

Psychologist Project:

1. Decide which platform to use

2. "Fix" the instructions to fit that platform

3. Start researching the basic information for your psychologist

4. Bookmark any videos or sites you use

Responses:

1. Use your psychologist's persona to respond to the postings. Think about what they would or would not agree with, point out similarities/differences, or expand on the thoughts presented.

2. Pick 4 psychologists to respond to. Respond to two of their postings for a total of 8 responses.

3. At least 4 of your responses should be several sentences in length, and 4 can be simple responses.

1. Behavioral

2. Behavioral Genetics

3. Cognitive

4. Evolutionary

Neuro-science

Psycho-dynamic

Humanistic-Existential

Socio-Cultural

Types of Psychologists/Careers

1. Clinical

2. Cognitive/Perceptual

3. Community

4. Counseling

5. Developmental

6. Educational

7. Engineering

8. Environmental

9. Evolutionary

10. Experimental

11. Forensic

12. Health

13. Industrial/Organizational

14. Neuropsychologist

15. Quantitative/Measurement

16. Rehabilitation

17. School

18. Social

19. Sports

I. Psychology and the Scientific Method

A. The scientific method is the systematic, empirically based investigation of phenomena through objective observations and measurements and the formulation of testable and falsifiable explanations.

B. The scientific method is actually a set of multiple methods.

C. Based on the particular research question, a researcher will identify what type of method to use.

D. Psychologists, like all scientists, conduct research to describe, measure, predict, and explain the phenomena in which they are interested.

II. Basic Concepts of the Scientific Method

Using the scientific method, psychologists make systematic, precise observations to generate ideas about behavior and to test theories and hypotheses.

A. Theories and hypotheses

1. Theories are coherent sets of concepts that explain a phenomenon or set of phenomena.

2. Hypotheses are testable statements about the relationship between two variables. Hypotheses are based on observation, research, and theory and are not random guesses.

B. Variables:

A variable is any factor that can take on different values. It is the opposite of a constant.

1. In research, variables can be manipulated, controlled, or measured.

2. There are two basic kinds of variables in research:

a. Independent variables (hypothesized causes) are variables that the researcher manipulates or selects to test the hypothesis that the variable leads to a change.

b. Dependent variables (hypothesized effects) are outcome or performance measures used to determine the effect of the independent variable.

C. Sampling is the way a researcher selects participants from a population.

1. Representative, unbiased sampling is critical for internally and externally valid results.

2. A biased sample undermines the validity of the results and limits how well the results might generalize to the intended population.

For example, say a researcher wants to determine college students’ political beliefs. If the researcher only surveys psychology majors, the results might not reflect the views of the general college population.

3. Other important terms include:

a. Population—the entire group of people one is interested in studying.

b. Sample—the subset of participants selected from the population.

c. Representative sample—this kind of sample reflects the characteristics of the population.

d. Random sampling—in random sampling, every individual in the population has an equal chance of being selected for the sample, which helps researchers select a representative sample.

e. Convenience sampling—in convenience sampling, the researcher selects participants who are available, such as members of an introductory psychology class.

III. The Research Process

A. A researcher develops a hypothesis and designates the independent and dependent variables, which must be operationally defined.

An operational definition is a definition of a variable or condition in terms of the specific operation, procedures, or observable behaviors. The researcher must specify exactly how variables will be manipulated, controlled, or measured.

B. Before conducting research that involves human participants, researchers must apply to an IRB (Independent Review Board) to ensure their study is ethical.

C. After obtaining IRB approval, the researcher will then conduct the research, collect and analyze the data, and report the findings.

D. Once the data are collected, the researcher uses statistical techniques to analyze them.

1. Descriptive statistics (e.g., mean, median, and mode, the standard deviation, range) are used to characterize and summarize major trends in the data.

2. Inferential statistics (e.g., t-tests, ANOVA) are used to draw conclusions about the data and make generalizations from the results to the larger population.

E. The final step in any scientific process is making findings public through publication and/or presentation and open to scrutiny and replication by other scientists.

Critical Thinking Exercise

A. You conduct an experiment where you take a sample of high school students and randomly divide them into two groups. Both groups view the same videotaped lecture. For the experimental group, a cell phone goes off at random intervals during the lecture. For the control group, there are no such distractions. After the video, both groups are given the same test of the material.

1. Name the independent and dependent variables.

2. Name two factors that were controlled in this study.

3. Identify two operational definitions of variables.

4. Name your sample and your population in this study.

IV. Use of Nonhuman Animals in Research

A. Psychologists conduct research with nonhuman animals to study a wide range of normal and abnormal behaviors, and the biological mechanisms underlying these behaviors.

1. About 7–8% of psychological research involves the use of nonhuman animals (APA, n.d.).

2. Basic research with nonhuman animals has enabled scientists to learn more about sensory processes, motivational systems, learning, memory, cognition, evolution, and development, all of which have contributed to the health and welfare of both humans and other animals.

3. Scientists have learned much about the central nervous system from conducting research with nonhuman animals.

4. Psychological scientists use a variety of animal models to study different behaviors and disorders. Rodents and birds, primarily mice, rats, and pigeons, make up approximately 90% of animals in psychological research. Nonhuman primates, such as monkeys and apes, are involved in research to a much lesser extent (APA, n.d.).

B. Reasons for conducting nonhuman animal research

1. Ethical considerations

2. Understanding behavior

3. Evolutionary change and influence

4. Increased control

5. Such research benefits nonhuman animals as well

Sampling is when researchers select a group to study.

Assignment is the process by which researchers conducting an experiment decide which of their participants will be in each of the various treatment conditions.

After picking their sample, experimenters must then assign the participants to conditions (e.g., experimental and control).

1. Keith exposes half of his participants to an episode of a sitcom and half to an episode of a violent television show and then observes them for signs of aggressive behavior.

2. Laurie picks 100 people to be in her study on the effects of listening to music while studying.

3. Danny picks 100 students to try a new AP Psychology text and compares them with 100 other students who are using the old text.

4. Chris puts 20 children in a drumming class and contrasts their drumming abilities with 20 children who have not had any drum instruction.

5. Tracey chooses 1,000 people to be in her study about the personalities of youngest children.

M & Ms: Sampling and Prediction

• Do not eat the sample until the activity is COMPLETELY finished!

• You will complete a chart based on the Observed (f) colors and a prediction of that overall %
• Do this twice! (Data Set #1 and Data Set #2)

Frequency Distribution Data Sheet

Data Set #1

Data Set #2

Combine Data Sets #1 and #2 to come up with a finalized % Prediction.

Combine your group's finalized Data Sets with your own. Come up with a Group Prediction Chart

M & Ms Actual Distribution:

Blue: 25%

Brown: 12.5%

Green: 12.5%

Orange: 25%

Red: 12.5%

Yellow: 12.5%

How accurate were your predictions?

1. How accurate were your predictions from Data Sets #1 and #2? Why do you think this was the case?

2. How accurate was your combined personal Data Set? Group Set?

3. Which Data Set was the most accurate? Why was this the case?

Pages 35-45 in Text

In pairs or groups:

Take notes on major concepts/blue words

II. Descriptive Research Methods

Descriptive research methods are used to describe phenomena and can be either qualitative or quantitative. Descriptive methods cannot be used to establish cause-and-effect relationships.

A. A case study is an in-depth investigation of an individual or small group who may have a highly unusual trait.

1. For example, in The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat (1985), Oliver Sacks presents case studies of some of his patients. An in-depth investigation of Phineas Gage would also be a case study.

2. Strengths: useful for documenting phenomena that are rare or complex

3. Weaknesses

a. Retrospective (hindsight) bias

b. Limited generalizability due to small sample size.

B. Naturalistic Observation - Researchers collect observations of natural, ongoing behavior.

1. Strengths: all factors that influence behavior are present

2. Weaknesses:

a. Researcher and participant bias

b. Privacy issues/informed consent

c. Lack of control over the environment

d. Time consuming

C. Surveys and Questionnaires - Self-reported data about attitudes, behaviors, or characteristics

1. Strengths: Easily administered and efficient for gathering large amounts of data.

2. Weaknesses:

a. Biased/Poor sampling or low return rates

b. Self-presentation/self-biases

c. Leading Questions

d. Memory distortions

III. Qualitative Methods

Qualitative Data: Allows for complex behavioral descriptions instead of numerical data.

Types: Interviews, Narratives, and Focus Groups

Critical Thinking:

1. You want to study how blind pedestrians navigate through neighborhoods with only a cane. Describe how you might use descriptive research methods (Case Study, Survey, and Naturalistic Observation) to study this. What are the pros and cons of each method?

2. You are interested in studying attitudes about a controversial topic, such as euthanasia or abortion. What kinds of research methods might you use to study these issues? What are the pros and cons of each method?

Field Trip!

You want to study how teenagers behave at the end of the day. You will choose a behavior to observe and design an observational study that considers the method's limitations and strengths.

1. Observable Behavior (Focal)

2. Operational Definitions

3. Procedures (how/what/who/time)

4. Limitations/Controls

I. Correlational Research Methods

Correlational methods measure the relatedness of two variables and attempt to predict the value of one based on the other.

A. Correlations examine the relationship between two variables WITHOUT manipulating either one.

1. Strengths: Provides a description of the strength of relationship between variables.

2. Weakness:

a. No cause/effect relationships

b. Directionality is undetermined

c. Illusory (false) correlations

B. Correlation Coefficients: statistical measures of the relationship between two variables.

-1.00 = Perfect negative correlation

+1.00 = Perfect positive correlation

0 = NO correlation

1. Positive Correlation: When one variable rises, so does the other

2. Negative Correlation: When one variable increases, the other decreases

Practice: .20, -.75, .90

Scatterplots

II. Experimental Methods

Experimental methods involve both independent and dependent variables.

A. Experiments manipulate one variable (independent) under controlled conditions to observe its effect on another variable (dependent).

1. Multiple groups and conditions are required:

a. Experimental group receives treatment/manipulation

b. Control group does not receive treatment or receives placebo

c. The control group is exactly the same EXCEPT for the independent variable.

d. The researcher compares the two groups

e. Random assignments create comparable groups

2. True experiments use true independent variables and are the only method that allows for cause/effect.

3. Lab Experiments: more control, less real world

4. Field Experiments: less control, more real world

Weaknesses:

1. Generalizability from a lab

2. Confounding Variables

3. Ethical Considerations

4. Participant Bias - people behave differently when observed

E. Experimental Bias - may treat people differently according to group

Longitudinal Research: Studies the same group of people over a long period of time

Cross-Sectional Research: Compares people of different age groups at the same time

Correlational or Experimental?

The Problem of Child Abuse Social scientists study the backgrounds of children who have been assigned to foster care. They discover that the majority of children who receive foster care have experienced physical punishment methods in their prior homes that would be severe enough to qualify as abusive.

Would this conclusion be derived from a correlational study or an experiment? Why?

Correlational

The Curious Teacher Ms. Tucker decides that she wants to evaluate which of her teaching methods might make the biggest impact on her students. For the first half of the semester, she teaches using a lecture format. She evaluates what students have learned using a 50-point multiple choice test. For the second half of the semester, she teaches using demonstrations and active learning exercises. She evaluates the second half using a 50-point multiple choice test. She discovers that her students have better test scores when using active learning strategies.

Would Ms. Tucker’s conclusion be derived from a correlational study or an experiment? Why?

Experimental

Critical Thinking:

1. Go back to the study of blind pedestrians. Would it be better to use and experimental, descriptive, or correlational method? Describe the data you would like to gather.

2. You want to study the impact of video games on student learning. How might you study this with correlational methods and experimental methods. Design a study for each and describe the strengths/weaknesses of each of your designs.

Do Cookies Improve Memory?

• This experiment will follow the procedures at your desk.

• Take notes on anything you see or hear that you might want to comment on later.

Cookie Assessment

1. Identify at least three issues/problems/observations about the sample, the experimental group, and the control group. Support your answers in detail, using your notes.

2. Identify at least five issues with the procedures the experiment followed. Support your answers in detail, using your notes.

3. Mastery: Identify 2-3 more issues with the experiment. Support your answers in detail, using your notes.

4. Are the conclusions justified? Why or why not?

Develop a Data-Question

• Develop a question to ask at least 30 people
• It must have a number for an answer
• A simple question is best!