RESEARCH METHODS (PSYCH 1-3)

Psychology

the scientific study of behavioral and mental processes

Five Foundations of Psychological Science

1. Evolution (we develop mechanisms for our envi.)

2. Materialism ( brain + mind)

3. Idealism (minds make reality)

4. Modularity (mind is a collection of parts)

5. Empiricism (we perceive things from our experiences)

Case Studies

gathering info for in depth study of ONE INDIVIDUAL

Observational Studies

observing natural behavior

Empirical Studies

surveys, randomized controlled experiments

Principle of Falsifiability

a scientific theory must generate hypotheses that can be proven false.

Scientific Theory

a comprehensive framework for making sense of evidence regarding a particular phenomenon

Inductive Reasoning vs. Deductive Reasoning

Bottom Up vs. Top Down

observation → pattern → theory, theory → hypothesis → experiment

Ethics

moral principles and guidelines that protect the rights, dignity, and well-being of people in research and therapy

Operational Definitions

exactly how we will define, measure, or manipulate the concept of interest in a SPECIFIC STUDY

Qualitative vs. Quantitative

words and themes vs. data and math

Independant variable vs. Dependant variable

what is being manipulated vs. what is being measured

Correlational Research

measuring two naturally occuring variables to see if they are related

Magnitude of Relationships

closer to -1/1, the stronger the relationship. relationship at 0 indicates no relationship at all.

Directionality Problem

third variable. x does not cause y or y doesnt cause x, because Z is involved and not accounted for.

Random Assignment

sorting participants into groups completely by chance

Longitudinal Studies

studying the same exact group over a long period

cross-sectional Studies

studying different groups at a specific point in time

quasi

an experiment we CANNOT randomly assign

Human Flaws in Research

1. Subject Bias (subject knows the goal of the test)

2. Demand Characteristics (subtle cues or signals give test away)

3. Placebo Effect (subject is given a fake treatment)

4. Observer Bias (researcher expectations/desires affect data)