Unit 0: Research Methods and Skills

Biological perspective

explains thoughts, feelings, and behaviors by focusing on the biological processes within the body, such as the brain, nervous system, genetics, hormones, and other physiological factors

Psychology

the scientific study of behavior and mental processes in humans and animals

Behavior

any observable action, emotional responses, learned behaviors

Mental Processes

Individual thoughts and feelings, perceptions, internal motivations that cannot be directly observed

Empirical evidence

information acquired by observation, surveys, case studies, experimentation

Scientific method

commitment to test knowledge so we can discover and verify data. Ensures reliability and validity of a study.

Curiosity (element of scientific attitude)

the drive to understand and explore the unknown

Skepticism (element of scientific attitude)

not accepting claims without evidence

Humility (element of scientific attitude)

being willing to accept that your research may be wrong

Cognitive bias

systematic errors in thinking. Like shortcuts our brains take to make processing information easier and quicker, but they often lead us to incorrect conclusions.

Hindsight bias (cognitive bias)

happens when, after an event has occurred, we believe we predicted it beforehand. This bias makes outcomes seem obvious and inevitable in retrospect, even if we had no way of knowing what would happen.

Overconfidence bias (cognitive bias)

occurs when we overestimate the accuracy of our knowledge and judgements. It's like wearing rose-colored glasses that make our abilities and decisions seem better than they actually are.

Confirmation bias (cognitive bias)

the tendency to search for, interpret, and remember information that confirms our preexisting beliefs or opinions. Instead of objectively evaluating all evidence, we give more weight to information that supports what we already think and discount evidence that contradicts our views.

Evolutionary Perspective

explains human cognition and behavior as the result of natural selection, a process where traits that enhanced survival and reproduction in our ancestral past were passed down through generations

Behavioral Perspective

a psychological approach focusing on observable behaviors rather than internal mental states, asserting that all behavior is learned through interaction with the environment via conditioning and reinforcement

Cognitive perspective

the study of internal mental processes, focusing on how people acquire, process, store, and use information, including memory, attention, perception, language, decision-making, and problem-solving

Social-cultural perspective

emphasizes that an individual's behavior, personality, and development are shaped by their interactions with others and the social and cultural context they are embedded in

psychoanalytic/psychodynamic perspective

a psychological approach emphasizing the significant influence of unconscious processes, early childhood experiences, and inner conflicts on personality and behavior

Non-experimental methodology

a research method that involves observing and measuring variables without manipulating them, focusing on relationships and correlations between variables

case study (Non-experimental)

in-depth investigation of an individual or group. not exactly generizable

naturalistic observation (Non-experimental)

observing behavior in its natural setting without intervention. oberver bias/hawthorne effect

meta analysis (Non-experimental)

statistical analysis of multiple studies on the same topic. increases statistical power and generizability. can’t control quality of studies.

correlational (Non-experimental)

examines the relationship between 2+ variables, does not involve manipulation of variables

qualitative research

focuses on in-depth understanding and rich descriptions of phenomena

quantitative research

emphasizes numerical data and statistical analysis

Quantitative measurement tools

likert scales, standardized assessments, physiological measures, correlational studies

correlational coefficient

direction of the relationship between variable and its strengths, represented by R, ± is direction, # is strength

correlational studies

research used to see if two variables are related and to make predictions based on the relationship. correlation≠causation

illusory correlation

a cognitive bias where people perceive a relationship between two variables that are not actually related, or the relationship is much weaker than believed

Institutional Review Board (IRB)

assessing risks and benefits, ensuring proper ethical guidelines are met, revieweing procedures for protecting the vulnerable

3 main ethical considerations

1. justify how research benefits humanity

2. clean housing, food, and water supply

3. minimize pain and distress

Informed consent/assent

participants must be fully informed about the research and its potential risks'/benefits before agreeing to participate.

informed assent: for minors or individuals with diminished capacity, in addition to consent from a legal guardian

protection from harm

do no harm, do benefits of the study outweigh any pain caused?

right to withdraw

discontinuing participation at any time. if they feel uncomfortable for any reason, they can leave without explanation

confidentiality

all data must be confidential, identities should not be revealed

deception

may be used to create a realistic situation or avoid demand characteristics

debriefing

after the study, participants must be fully informed about the research, including any deception used, and given the opportunity to ask questions

confederate

individuals who seem to be participants but are really part of the research team