Foundations of Psychology

Types of research data

• qualitative

• quantitative

Research data- qualitative

non-numerical (ex. structured interviews)

research data- quantitative

numerical data (ex. Likert scale)

types of bias

• hindsight bias

• overconfidence

• confirmation bias

• social desirability bias

• false consensus effect

hindsight bias

“i knew it all along” phenomenon

overconfidence

we think we know more than we do

confirmation bias

seek out information that supports one idea

social desirability bias

answer in a way that will be viewed favorably by others

false consensus effect

overestimate how much others share our beliefs

Aspects of research

• theory

• hypothesis

• falsifiable

• operational definition

• replication

operational definition

procedures used to define and simplify research variables

replication

repeating a study finding generalizing to other participants (see how specific it is using study)

Institutional review board (IRB) ethics

• no coercion

• safety

• confidentiality

• informed consent

• debrief

stanley milgram’s shock experiment (how is it unethical/what is it)

conflict between obedience to authority and conscience, no debrief, psychological harm

philip zimbardo- stanford prison experiment (how is it unethical/what is it)

psychological effects of perceived power, safety

what are the three types of research methods?

• non-experimental

• correlational

• experimental

case study

in depth study of an individual- no cuase/effect

Likert scale

scale used to measure opinions, attitudes

structured interviews

fixed set of closed questions are used

naturalistic observation

observing in natural environment

meta-analysis

result of multiple studies combined and analyzed

longitudinal

measures individual over extended period of time

cross-sectional

measures individuals of various ages at one point in time

non-experimental purpose

observe/describe behaviors without manipulating variables, cannot determine cause/effect