Introduction to Experimental Psychology Concepts

Research Study Proposal

Initial idea for a class research project.

Mind Wandering

Cognitive separation from the present moment.

Behavior Description

First step in understanding psychological behavior.

Psychological Models

Represent aspects of psychological phenomena.

Theories of Intelligence

Models that explain understanding of intelligence.

Scientific Method

Process to identify problems and test hypotheses.

Replication

Reproducing results to confirm findings.

Research Idea Sources

Observation, literature, and brainstorming for ideas.

Self Projection

Cognitive ability to experience different times or places.

Episodic Memory

Reliving past experiences through memory recall.

Theory of Mind (ToM)

Understanding others' perspectives and emotions.

Future Thinking

Imagining future scenarios or events.

Narrative Transportation

Immersion in a story affecting perception.

Default Mode Network

Brain areas activated during self-projection activities.

Central Executive Network

Brain areas activated during present-focused tasks.

Parasocial Relationships

Connections between spectators and media figures.

Empathy Development

Increased understanding through exposure to diverse characters.

Barnum Description

Generalized statements applicable to many individuals.

Prediction Machine

Brain's tendency to anticipate outcomes in stories.

Spoilers Effect

Impact of knowing story endings on immersion.

Complex Thinking

Enhanced cognitive abilities through diverse character exposure.

Average Score

Mean value of scores, here it is 9.

Intuitive Understanding

Understanding based on instinct rather than evidence.

Scientific Understanding

Understanding based on empirical evidence and research.

Metaphysical Systems

Supernatural explanations for human behavior, like animism.

Aristotle's Explanation

Behavior explained through animal-like attributes.

Mythology and Religion

Cultural narratives explaining human behavior.

Philosophy

Early system of thought using logic for understanding.

Descartes' Contribution

Emphasized importance of empirical observations in study.

Galvani and Volta

Demonstrated electric charge affects muscle movement.

Wilhelm Wundt

Considered the father of experimental psychology.

Scientific Study of Behavior

Psychology defined as systematic study of behavior.

Heider and Simmel (1944)

Demonstrated narrative tendency in human perception.

Determinism

Belief that the universe operates in an orderly way.

Empiricism

Knowledge derived from sensory experience and observation.

Parsimony

Preference for simpler theories over complex ones.

Testability

Theories must be confirmable or disconfirmable.

Logical Positivism

Scientific conclusions based on observable phenomena.

Operational Definitions

Definitions of constructs based on measurable criteria.

Variable

Characteristic that varies among individuals or groups.

Dependent Variable (DV)

Variable measured to assess effects of IV.

Independent Variable (IV)

Variable manipulated to observe its effect on DV.

Population

Complete set of individuals for research study.

Sample

Subset of population used for measurement.

Statistic

Calculated number from sample data quantifying characteristics.

Experimental Design

Manipulation of IV to observe effects on DV.

Laws

Universal statements predicting nature's behavior.

Theories

General statements about relationships between variables.

Hypotheses

Specific predictions about particular events.

Induction

Reasoning from specific instances to general theories.

Deduction

Starting with a theory to explain specific instances.

Validation

Experiments confirming the correctness of a theory.

Falsification

Experiments disconfirming a theory's validity.

Qualification

Identifying conditions under which a theory holds.

Research Steps

Process includes idea development, hypothesis formulation.

Statistical Analyses

Tools used to interpret research data.

Literature Review

Examining existing research before conducting new studies.

Pilot Research

Initial small-scale study to test feasibility.

Immersion in Film

Engagement level influenced by familiarity and enjoyment.

Social Accountability

Influence of observers on giving behavior.

Experimental Conditions

Testing behaviors in different social contexts.

Control Variables

Factors kept constant to ensure valid results.

Ethics in Research

Consideration of participant welfare during studies.

Personality Factors

Influence of giver's traits on donation behavior.

Participant Feelings

Impact of study participation on emotional state.

Research Question

What influences giving to homeless individuals?

Film Rewatching

Effect of prior viewings on immersion experience.

Frugality Causes

Multiple factors can lead to a single behavior.

McGuire Attitude Inoculation

Using small exposures to build resistance to persuasion.

Responsibility to participants

Obligation to ensure participant safety and well-being.

Replication Crisis

Difficulty in replicating many scientific studies.

Diedrik Stapler

Admitted to committing research fraud.

Amy Cuddy

Harvard professor known for controversial power posing research.

P-hacking

Manipulating data to achieve statistically significant results.

File drawer issue

Studies with negative results often remain unpublished.

Power posing

Body posture influencing feelings of power.

Academic mobbing

Non-violent ganging up behavior among academics.

APA Guidelines

Ethical principles established for psychological research.

No harm principle

Participants should not experience significant distress.

Informed consent

Participants must be fully aware of study risks.

Confidentiality

Protection of participant information from unauthorized access.

Anonymity

Participants' identities remain unknown in research.

IRB

Institutional Review Board reviewing research proposals.

Exempt review

Category 1 review for minimal risk studies.

Expedited review

Category 2 review for studies with minimal risk.

Full review

Category 3 review for high-risk or sensitive studies.

Debriefing

Post-experiment explanation of study's purpose and risks.

Reactivity problem

Behavior changes when participants know they are observed.

Demand characteristics

Participants alter behavior based on perceived expectations.

Internal validity

Degree to which study accurately measures intended variables.

External validity

Generalizability of study results to broader populations.

Internal validity

Degree to conclude cause/effect in experiments.

External validity

Generalizability of experiment outcomes to other settings.

Independent variable

Presumed cause manipulated by the experimenter.

Dependent variable

Behavior measure affected by the independent variable.

Confounding variable

Potential cause for experimental effect besides the IV.

Subject variable

Personal characteristics affecting experimental outcomes.

Control group

Receives no IV; serves as baseline for comparison.

Experimental group

Receives non-zero IV values for comparison.

Causal relationship components

Co-variation, temporal sequence, elimination of alternatives.