General Psychology: Chapter 2

Research Methods!

Empirical: ? Definitions

Theory: ?

Hypothesis: ?

Empirical: Finding evidence through observation

Theory: Set of ideas that propose an explanation for observed phenomena

Hypothesis: testable prediction

Limits of Psychological studies?

Theories can be disproven but rarely are proven.

Empirical observation can only test questions that are observable

Deductive reasoning?

Inductive reasoning?

Deductive reasoning: Ideas that are tested in the real world

Inductive reasoning: real-world observations leading to new ideas

Mode, Median, and Mean?

Mean: represents the average of a given data

Median: Value that lies at the midpoint of a data

Mode: The data that occurs the most frequently (same set of numbers, etc.)

Name 5 Descriptive studies and what their purpose is. And why use different research methods?

Naturalistic observation: observing behaviors in natural setting

The Case Study: To study one person, group or event, and animal in great depth to reveal behavioral principles

Surveys: List of questions to be answered by a sample of people

Archival research: Use existing records to answer various research questions

Longitudinal: Gathering data with the same set of people over a long period of time

and

Cross Sectional research: Compare multiple segments of the population at the same time (20 year old vs 40 year old)

Using different research methods allows scientists to provide evidence to questions in many different ways.

Naturalistic Observation Pros and Cons?

Pros: More accurate and valid information. Realism and research to real-world situation is enhanced.

Cons: Difficult to set up and control. Observer bias

Survey Pros and Cons

Pros: Collect information from larger samples of people mean better generalization

Cons:

Not able to collect the same depth of information on each person.

People don’t always give accurate information (lies, don’t remember, etc.)

Self-report bias

Question Wording.

DESCRIPTIVE STUDIES: pros and cons

Cons: Observational and case studies only DESCRIBES. They can’t explain why, or predict behaviors.

Pro: great for generating new ideas, or getting in depth information about individuals in the context they behave in.

Correlation definition? Correlation coefficient? + and - Correlations? Confounding variable? Pros and cons

Correlation is the relationship between two variables

As one variable changes so does the other.

Correlation coefficient: -1 + 1: Closer number is to 1(- or +) = stronger correlation

Positive Correlation: variables move in same direction

Negative Correlation: variables move in opposite directions

Pros: Has predictive values

Con: Confounding variable is a factor outside of the correlation that can effect the relationship of the two variables.

People tend to make cause and effect statements based on correlation

Experimental group? Control Group? Operational Definition? Single blind study? double blind study? Independent variable? dependent variable?

Experimental group: The group that is being experimented on

Control Group: The group that is not being experimented on

Operational Definition: How abstract concepts will be measured.

Single Blind Study: Participants aren’t aware what group they are in

Double blind: Researcher and participants don’t know which group they are assigned too.

Independent Variable: Factors the researcher changes, controls, or uses for the group

Dependent Variable: results of the independent variable in a measurement