Intro to Psych, Research Methods, and Replication Crisis

What is social psychology?

The scientific study of how individuals think, feel, and behave in social contexts.

Important figures in social psychology

Key contributors include Kurt Lewin, known for his field theory, and Leon Festinger, known for cognitive dissonance theory.

Personality vs. Social Psychology

Personality psychology focuses on individual differences, while social psychology examines how social contexts influence behavior.

Power of the situation

The concept that situational factors can significantly influence an individual's behavior, often more than personal traits.

ABCs of social psychology

Affective, Behavioral, and Cognitive components that influence social interactions and attitudes.

Self vs. other concern

The balance between focusing on one's own needs and the needs of others in social situations.

Conceptual vs. operational variables

Conceptual variables are abstract ideas, while operational variables are specific ways to measure those concepts.

Hypothesis falsifiability

The principle that a hypothesis must be testable and able to be proven false.

Descriptive research design

A research method that involves observing and describing behavior without manipulating variables.

Correlational research design

A method that examines the relationship between two variables to determine if they are associated.

Experimental research design

A method that involves manipulating one variable to determine its effect on another variable.

Correlations

Statistical measures that describe the extent to which two variables change together.

Third-variable problem

The issue that a correlation between two variables may be influenced by a third variable that affects both.

Deception in research

The practice of misleading participants about the true purpose of a study to prevent bias.

Internal vs. external validity

Internal validity refers to the extent to which a study accurately establishes a causal relationship, while external validity refers to the generalizability of the study's findings.

Exact vs. conceptual replication

Exact replication involves repeating a study with the same methods, while conceptual replication tests the same hypothesis with different methods.

False positive result

A result that indicates a significant effect when there is none, often due to chance or bias.

P-hacking

The practice of manipulating data or analysis until nonsignificant results become significant.

Open Science Collaboration

An initiative aimed at improving the transparency and reproducibility of scientific research.

Reasons for non-replication

Factors that contribute to the inability to replicate study findings, such as methodological differences or sample variations.

Preregistrations

The practice of registering a study's methods and analysis plan before conducting the research to enhance transparency.

Registered reports

A publication format where the study's methods and proposed analyses are peer-reviewed before data collection.

Adversarial collaborations

Research partnerships between scientists with opposing viewpoints to enhance the robustness of findings.

Open data and materials

The practice of making research data and materials publicly accessible to promote transparency and reproducibility.