Lecture 3 - paradigms and research methods Flashcards
What is a paradigm in the context of psychology?
A paradigm defines the concepts and constructs invoked by theories, the research questions worth investigating, and the methodologies used to assess these questions. It provides a “template” for expressing theories and encompasses the set of background assumptions that offer a general frame of reference for explaining phenomena
What is the root metaphor of the Behavioral Paradigm, and what are its key concepts?
The root metaphor of the Behavioral Paradigm is the “Blank Slate”, where behaviors are wholly determined by the environment. Key concepts include the history of reinforcement and learning, the Law of Effect (behaviors that are rewarded tend to be repeated), and the rejection of unobservable processes as unscientific
What type of questions does the Behavioral Paradigm address, and how are they studied?
The Behavioral Paradigm addresses questions about how contingencies pairing stimuli with reward/punishment affect subsequent behavior. These are often studied experimentally, typically using animal subjects
What is the root metaphor of the Cognitive Paradigm, and what are its key concepts?
The root metaphor of the Cognitive Paradigm is the “computer”, where inputs are processed and transformed into outputs. Key concepts include mental representations and mental states, focusing on unobservable mental processes and their observable effects such as attention, memory and decision-making
What type of questions does the Cognitive Paradigm address, and how are they studied?
The Cognitive Paradigm addresses questions about the mental processes that give rise to behavior. These are studied experimentally, often with human participants.
What is the root metaphor of the Biological Paradigm, and what are its key concepts?
The root metaphor of the Biological Paradigm is the “Biological Machine”, focusing on the physical bases of thought and behavior. Key concepts include evolution, genetics and physiological functions.
What type of questions does the Biological Paradigm address, and how are they studied?
The Biological Paradigm addresses questions about how mental processes are physically realized in the brain and how such functionality evolved. These questions are studied experimentally (with humans and animals) as well as via case studies
What are the criteria for diagnosing Major Depressive Disorder according to DSM-V?
The criteria including experiencing five or more of the following within a two-week period:
1. Depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day
2. Markedly diminished interest or pleasure in activities most of the day, nearly every day.
3. Significant weight loss or gain, or change in appetite
4. Slowing down of thought and physical movement
5. Fatigue or loss of energy
6. Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt
7. diminished ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness
8. Recurrent thoughts of death, suicidal ideation, or a suicide attempt
Why are research methods important in psychology?
Research methods are important because they impose control or structure over observations, making it possible to draw more confident conclusions about causal relationships between events. They help prevent bias and ensure that the data collected is reliable and valid
How do experimental design support causal inference?
Experimental designs support causal inference by manipulating an Independent Variable (IV) and measuring its effect on a Dependent Variable (DV).
- Different levels of the IV create experimental conditions, and all other factors are held constant.
- If the DV changes significantly across conditions, it can be inferred that the change was caused by the manipulation of the IV
What is an example of an experimental design in psychology?
An example is monitoring a screen and pressing a button whenever a dot appears on either side of a fixation cross, with the IV being the level of rest (sleep-deprived vs. normal sleep) and the DV being response time
What is bias, and where can it come from in research?
Bias refers to factors that affect the data obtained in a study, potentially compromising conclusions and theoretical inferences if not detected. Sources of bias include sampling bias, expectation effects (e.g. placebo effect, Hawthorne effect etc), and experimenter expectations (e.g. Rosenthal effects)
