Research Psychology

Psychology

defined as the research-based analysis and evaluation of the mind, actions, and habits. The research aims to provide details and deductions about our behaviors. 

Psychological research involves

studies conducted by psychologists with the intention of developing procedures that will either resolve a question or dilemma or produce enhancements that benefit society. 

How Psychological research is initiated

Researchers implement the scientific method: 

Begins with presenting an inquiry or problem, 

Next, a theory is proposed, 

Followed by experimentation or studies that are designed to test the theory, 

And results of the information are gathered and determined. 

Theories may be confirmed or disproved, questions may be answered, and fresh knowledge gained via scientific substantiation.

Hypothesis

a prediction about the outcome of a study. It may include a statement describing the procedure and anticipated outcome, Ultimately, it's an educated guess. 

• Cannot prove theory but can support research 

A scientific study includes*

proposing a hypothesis, conducting research which includes the method section, obtaining interpreting the results, and discussion. 

Debriefing

provides participants with a full explanation of the hypothesis being tested, procedures to deceive participants, and the reasons why it was necessary to deceive them

• An essential part of the informed consent process and is mandatory when the research study involves the use of deception. 

• Solomon Asch experiment- didn’t debrief them 

Institutional Review Board

Also known as the independent ethics committee, judges whether proposed experiments are ethical. 

Qualitative research

deals with information that is not able to be numerically measured; rather, this data is illustrative and observable. 

The type of information collected and studied may include verbal or written interviews, pictures, audio or visual recordings, or observations.

utilized by psychologists in order to gain a better understanding of how individuals feel, why they act in particular ways, and how their behavior affects them and their environment. 

Unlike the numerical data that is produced by quantitative research

the results of qualitative research are open to interpretation and may be subjective.

Quantitative research

deals with figures and statistics that can be
counted in numerical form. This type of research uses statistics
and figures to measure or quantify behavioral characteristics and
psychological issues.

Psychologists utilize quantitative research to uncover facts that
can be computed and examined in a manner that is substantiated.
(numerically/statistically)

Three main types of psychological research

Descriptive, Correlational, and Experimental research. 

Descriptive research

qualitative study that aims to illustrate the actions of individuals by way of observation

• do not include variables, which are elements of an experiment that are able to be manipulated. The objective is simply to collect information that is purely based on observation.

• particularly useful in the preliminary stages of planning further research, such as correlational or experimental studies, to gather sufficient data in order to form a theory.

Correlational research

revolves around testing potential connections between variables. 

Within these types of studies, although variables are not controlled by researchers, the results will reveal the extent and direction of the connection between the variables. 

• Aim to find out if there are differences in the characteristics of a population depending on whether or not its subjects have been exposed to an event of interest in the naturalistic setting

Longitudinal vs cross sectional correlation research

In a cross-sectional study you collect data from a population at a specific point in time.

In a longitudinal study you repeatedly collect data from the same sample over an extended period of time.

Positive vs negative correlation

Positive correlation- going in same direction- more of this more of that- more students eat breakfast more passing grades 

Negative correlation- variable goes in opposite directions- more students eat breakfast less failing grades.

Zero correlation- no connection established 

Reinforcement- always something good 

Difference between cross sectional and longitudinal studies

cross-sectional studies- interview a fresh sample of people each time they are carried out, whereas longitudinal studies follow the same sample of people over time.

When statistical analysis is used, various graphs show the results and are added to the result sections in various forms of research. Two examples of the types of graphs used include a bar graph and a scatterplot.

Bar graph*

 a visual representation of data using rectangular bars where the length of each bar corresponds to the value of a specific category. 

Scatterplot*

uses dots to represent values for two different numerical variables. They are used to observe relationships between variables 

(with trend line, visual relationship between the two variables)

Histogram

 similar to a bar graph but represents quantitative data where the bar graph represents categorical data. The bars touch in a histogram whereas there is space in between the bar graph to indicate the different categories.

Experimental research

 expands on the previous methods by manipulating the variables during studies, such as lab or field experiments, which allows the researcher to determine whether a cause-and-effect connection exists.

Experimental research- two broad categories*

• experimental designs and quasi- experimental designs

• Both designs require treatment manipulation, but while true experiments require random assignment, quasi- experiments do not. 

True experiments have four elements:*

manipulation, control , random assignment, and random selection.

The most important of these elements are manipulation and control.

• relies on statistical analysis to prove or disprove a hypothesis, making
  it the most accurate form of research. Of the types of experimental design, only true design can establish a cause-effect relationship within a group.

In a true experiment, three factors need to be satisfied

• There is a Control Group, which won’t be subject to changes, and an Experimental Group, which will experience the changed variables.
  • A variable that can be manipulated by the researcher
  • Random distribution

Key elements in experimental research

Random assignment & Random selection

Random Assignment

the use of chance procedures in psychology experiments to ensure that each participant has the same opportunity to be assigned to any given group. Study participants are randomly assigned to different groups, such as the experimental group or treatment group

Random selection

how sample members (study participants) are selected from the population for inclusion in the study. Random assignment is an aspect of experimental design in which study participants are assigned to the treatment or control group using a random procedure.

Cortex

Higher mental functions (learning, remembering, etc.)

Brain parts

hypothalamus- hormones for emotions and moods

thalamus- information processed before sent to cortex

amygdala- emotion processing

Prefrontal Cortex

Thinking, reasoning, impulse control

Neurotransmitters:

mood enhancers, endorphins, pleasure/pain

epeninpherine (adrenaline), norepherine, which increase heart rate blood sugar levels, blood pressure, etc. in times of emergency. 

Fixed interval reinforcement

timed- reward every half in hour - time changes 

Ratio reinforcement

 rewarded every 5 stuff u sell - amount of what you get changes- slot machine  

Fixed ratio

the reward is the same and the amt of time - vending machine 

Variables in reinforcement

Fixed or varied 

Ratio  or interval 

Is it based on  amount and time

Anxiety/nervousness

sympathetic nervous system- the adrenal glands release norepinephrine into the bloodstream. With flight,  there is a burst of energy that leads to a response to perceived anger. Flight or fight triggered when we feel stress, anger, etc.

parasympathetic nervous system- stops stress hormones- they are already in the system, Inhibits further release of stress hormones, through arousal diminishes gradually since the hormones are already in the bloodstream. 

Classical conditioning

Learning where neutral stimuli signal an unconditioned response and later produces responses that are anticipated and prepares us for the unconditioned stimulus, referred to as conditioning,, 

Ex: Dogs salivating because they knew they were getting fed- in a specific room you get conditioned- then it happens in room with same environment 

Social learning theory

theory that roles are acquired through the basic process of learning, including reinforcement, punishment and modeling. - one of 2 ways we learn everything in life, not only focused on gender

• Bobo doll- kids saw parents acting violent towards it so they did the same

Psychoanalysis

• Frued

the techniques used in treating psychological disorders by seeking to expose and interpret unconscious tensions. 

• The conscious 

• The preconscious– not consciously aware, but not deep enough in unconscious, you could get in touch with it because it is close enough in your awareness 

• The unconscious 

Cognitive behavioral therapy

approach is to teach people new, more constructive ways of thinking. 

• Change perspective = change self defeating beliefs 

• Developed by Aaron T Beck (initially a psychoanalyst)- while researching depression. 

humanism

• psychologists Maslow and Rogers saw people as being innately good and naturally striving to reach his or her full potential. 

Humanistic perspective focuses on the way healthy people operate and strive for self determination and self realization.- remember 2 terms 

The Social cognitive perspective

• Emphasized combination of your personal traits (u were born with), your social world, and the behavior that takes place of the situation you were in  

• person (personal traits), their situation and the resulting behavior.- you learn from situation