Psychology Chapter 2 Flashcards
Goals of the scientific approach
1.measurement and description
2.understanding and prediction
3.application and control
Steps in a scientific investigation
1.formulate a hypothesis
2.design the study
3.collect the data
4.analyze the data and draw conclusions
5.report the findings
Theory
MUST BE TESTABLE
Experiments
a scientific procedure undertaken to make a discovery, test a hypothesis, or demonstrate a known fact.
Experiment advantage and disadvantage
Advantage: ability to establish relationships between variables
Disadvantage: human error, bias, cost etc
Independent variable
The variable that is changed or manipulated by the researcher
(The group being tested)
Dependent variable
Variable is not changed but is affected by the independent variable
(Group that stays the same and is compared to the independent variable)
Extraneous variables
any factor that is not being directly investigated in a research study but could still potentially influence the results
Ex: room temp, noise level, time of day, etc.
Control group
Group does not revive the variable being tested (dependent)
Ex: a group of patients receive a placebo (an inactive pill) while the experimental group receives the actual medication being tested
Experimental group
Subjects in the study receive the variable being tested (independent)
Ex: a group of patients receive a placebo (an inactive pill) while the experimental group receives the actual medication being tested
Correlational research
Strength of relationship between variables
Correlational research advantages and disadvantages
Advantages: the ability to study relationships between variables in real-world settings
Disadvantages: it cannot establish causation
Positive correlation
High scores on x are associated with high scores on y and low scores on x are associated with low scores on y.
(The more hours an employee works, for instance, the larger that employee’s paycheck will be at the end of the week.)
Negative correlation
High scores on x are associated with low scores on y and low scores on x are associated with high scores on y.
(the colder the weather, the more clothes you wear, the more you exercise, the less weight you have, the longer you study, the fewer mistakes you make on a test)
Correlation coefficient
a statistical measure that shows the strength and direction of the relationship between two or more variables
Can range from -1 and +1
(Closer to extremes = greater relationship between the variables)
Sample v. Population
Sample: smaller group of a population, studied to make inferences about larger groups
Population: an entire group of individuals, study aims to draw conclusions about these entire groups
Scientific approach assumptions
Assumes that events are governed by some lawful order, as scientists psychologists assume that behavior is governed by laws or principles
Data collection techniques
Methods that psychologists use to collect information about their subjects in a research study (Observation,Surveys,Tests,Physiological measures ,Case studies)
Observation
Naturalistic observation: Observing behavior in a natural setting without interference.
Participant observation: The researcher becomes part of the group being observed.
Structured observation: Using a predetermined checklist to record specific behaviors.
Surveys
Questionnaires: Written set of questions with multiple-choice or open-ended responses.
Interviews: A conversation where the researcher asks questions directly to the participant.
Tests
Standardized tests: Tests with consistent scoring criteria used to compare individuals to a norm group.
Psychological tests: Measures of personality, intelligence, or other psychological constructs.
Physiological measures
Electroencephalography (EEG): Measures brain activity
Galvanic skin response (GSR): Measures skin conductivity related to emotional arousal
Heart rate monitoring: Measures heart rate
Case studies
In-depth analysis: Detailed examination of a single case, often providing rich qualitative data
Useful for rare phenomena: Can be used to study unique situations or individuals
Ethics: deception
-Common since the 1960’s
-Seen a lot in social psychology
-Argue important issues could not be investigated if subjects were not misled
-some see as immoral
