Prologue & Chapter One - Introduction to the Science of Psychology

PSYC-A100

What is Psychology?

Scientific Study of Behavior and Mental Processes

“Empirical Approach”

Evidence Based

Arm-Chair Psychology

Conclusions based on speculation, casual observation, anecdotal evidence.

…More going on that what meets the eye!

… The obvious answer is not always correct!

BioPsychoSocial Approach

Behavioral and Mental Phenomena arise from combination of biological, psychological, and social influences.

• Nature AND Nurture

• Inherent Dispositions that are modified by environment. Intertwined with one another.

Critical Thinking

Examines assumptions, appraises the sources, discerns the hidden biases, evaluates evidence, and asses conclusions.

Overgeneralizations

Attributing Behavior to a Single Cause. - A Large Factor only focuses on one sector, rather than the various factors that make it up.

Ethnocentrism

Seeing one’s ethnicity / “normal practices as “correct” and the “best way”

Androcentrism

More focused on men and not as concerned about women.

Case Study

In-Depth Analysis of a Single Scenario.

• Typically on Rare Cases

• May not apply to others

Does not prove anything, when alone. But, can suggest avenues for future research and study.

Naturalistic Observation

A descriptive technique of observing and recording behavior in naturally occurring situations without trying to manipulate and control the situation.

• Provides more information in settings that may not be replicated in the Lab.

Survey

A descriptive technique for obtaining the self-reported attitudes or behaviors of a particular group, usually by questioning a representative, random sample of a group.

• Though, some people may not admit to doing bad behaviors in a survey, which can skew data.

Sampling

Selecting some to represent the many.

Wording

How you word a question can change the way that people respond, even in the slightest.

Correlational Analysis

Finding/Researching how two factors are linearly related to one another.

Correlation

A statistical measure that shows how closely two things vary together and how well either one predicts the other. - The extent to which the two are linearly related.

Correlation Coefficient (r)

The closer the value of r is to |+-1|, the stronger the correlation is between the two. And, the more likely you cna predict the value of the other, accurately.

Correlation does not imply Causation

Just because the values are correlated, does not mean that one directly impacts the other.

Interviewing/3rd Variables

Unmeasured variables that may be responding/responsible for a correlation.

Experimental Method

Cause and Effect — While all other variables are held constant, manipulate a particular variable and monitor how it has an effect on the other.

Independent Variable

Variable that is measured and manipulated

Dependent Variable

Variable that receives Impacts — “Dependent” on the Independent Variable

Experimental Group

Group of Experiment that is exposed to the factor of interest.

Control Group

Group that is not exposed to the factor of interest, held constant.

Operational Definitions

Precise definitions of variable (what and how) are important for consistency and replications of an experiment. Results may differ, depending on how variables are defined nad measured.

Confounding Variables

Uncontrolled Factors that can lead to Confusion of Interpretation.

Random Assignment

Probabilistic equivalence between groups. This reduces impacts of some confounding variables.

Placebo Effect

“Placebo” — lacks active ingredient but appears the same. Disillusions a person to believing that the treatment they are receiving is actually effective.

Double-Blind Design

Subjects and experimenters interacting with subjects are unaware of which subjects are in the Experimental/Control Groups.

Statistical Significance

A statement of how likely it is that a result (such as a difference between sampled) occurred by change, assuming there is no difference between the populations being studied. — How likely is the average difference between the experimental and control groups of the DV would have occurred if, in reality, the IV had no effect.

Peer-Reviewed Journals

Where trustworthy information is found. A rotating group of scientists are reviewing and validating the information beforehand.

Informed Consent

Subjects should know as much about participating in the study as possible.

Debriefing

Subjects must be told the purpose of the experiment after participating if this wasn’t possible at the outset.

Confidentiality

Information gathered from an experiment should be kept private.

Clinical Psychology

Diagnosis and Treatment

Abnormal Psychology

The Study of Psychological Disorders

Biological Psychology

Influences of Biology on Psychological Processes.

Cognitive Psychology

(The Psychology of) Mental Processes

Developmental Psychology

(The Psychological Study of) how People change over a lifespan.

Personality Psychology

(The Psychology of) Individual Differences

Social Psychology

(The Psychology of) Interpersonal Influences

Illusionary Correlation

Perceiving an Actual Relationship where none exists, or perceiving a stronger-than-actual relationship.

Experimental Group

In an experiment, the group exposed to the treatment, that is, to one version of the Independent Variable.

Replication

Repeating the essence of a research study, usually with different participants in different situations, to see whether the basic finding can be repeated.