Psychology Chapters 1 & 4: Definition, Variables, and Descriptive Methods

What is the working definition of Psychology?

The study of behaviors and mental processes.

What behaviours and mental processes do psychologists study?

memory, perception, attention, learning, dreaming, values and moral beliefs, remembering, stereotypes, etc.

What do psychologists focus on when studying behavior and mental processes?

Psychologists focus on variations of such mental and behavioural processes.

What variations do psychologists study?

- How do people change over time?

-How do people change across different situations?

-How do people differ from each other?

How do We Measure Variation in Behaviour and Mental Processes?

Psychologists turn abstract constructs (memory, shyness, intelligence, etc.) into observable, quantifiable variables using Operational definitions.

What is the Challenge Associated With Studying Psychological Variables? (examples)

- what is the solution

The challenge is that some behaviors cannot be seen ex. memory, shyness

- The solution is an operational definition: something that can be measured or observed (observing memory through tests)

Characteristics of Descriptive methods of study

What is an example of a descriptive result?

- Researchers look at one variable at a time

- Reporting using #, %, range, or average

- Example: 84% recommended; sentence ranged from 30d - 5 yrs