experiment

Weekly Content Overview

  • This week involves recorded sessions focusing on various aspects of the self.
  • Topics include:
    • A mini lecture discussing whether animals have a sense of self.
    • Interesting experiments related to the self.
  • Encourage students to engage with this content before moving into discussions next week on related areas.

Assignment: Self Schema Exercise

  • Students are required to create a representation of their 'self schema'.
  • Purpose: Encourage creativity and reflection on personal identity.
  • Examples from past students will be shared as inspiration.

Creative Aspects

  • The assignment allows students to tap into their artistic abilities, which they may not have had a chance to express in college.
  • Different forms of expression:
    • Drawing
    • Painting
    • Sculpting

Understanding Self Schema

  • Definition of Self Schema:

    • A self schema is an understanding of oneself that includes personal attributes and characteristics.
    • It is influenced by past experiences and helps in how one interacts with the world.

  • Concept of Schema:

    • In cognitive psychology, schemas are mental frameworks that help organize and interpret information.
    • Example of Schema:
    • For a "chair":
      • Elements include a seat, four legs, and a backrest.
    • Schemas help categorize new information based on existing understanding.

Example Application of Self Schema

  • Similar to physical objects, humans have schemas that describe them.
  • Attributes that compose an individual’s self schema can include:
    • Intelligence
    • Abilities
    • Physical traits
  • Self schemas impact decision making and self-perception.

Factors Affecting Self Schema

  • Positive attributes (e.g., intelligence) can foster a sense of capability in facing tasks; conversely, negative attributes (e.g., feelings of inadequacy) can limit potential.
  • Each individual's self schema is unique and influences interactions with others.

Creating Your Self Schema Representation

  • Ways to create a self schema:

    • Visual representation through drawings or paintings.
    • Collages made from various pictures or magazine clippings.
    • Written descriptions (150-250 words) outlining personal attributes.
    • Venn diagrams detailing various aspects of oneself.
    • Sculptural representations made from clay or other materials.

  • Submission Requirements:

    • Create and photograph the representation for submission by Sunday evening.
    • In the following discussion, comment on two peers' submissions to foster dialogue about shared characteristics.

Examples from Past Assignments

  1. Dual Masks Representation:
    • Illustrates the duality of personality traits: positive versus negative.
  2. Looking Glass Self Collage:
    • Uses mirrors and descriptive words to visualize self perception.
  3. Venn Diagram:
    • Showcases various roles and characteristics defining the individual.
  4. Character Cards from Dungeons and Dragons:
    • Indicates personality traits and skills depicted as character scores.
  5. LP Record Representing Attributes:
    • Each label on the album describes personal qualities.

Understanding Experiments in Psychology

  • Key Definitions:
    • An experiment is a method used to establish causation between variables.
    • The independent variable is manipulated, while the dependent variable is measured.
    • It's crucial to control extraneous variables that may influence outcomes.

Steps in Conducting an Experiment

  1. Define the independent variable (IV) and dependent variable (DV).
    • Example:
      • IV: Hair color
      • DV: Perceived attractiveness score (1-10 scale).
  2. Control for external factors that may affect results:
    • Ensure consistency in experimental conditions across groups.

Operationalizing Variables

  • Operationalization:
    • Defined as clarifying what is meant by a variable to ensure consistency in measuring.
    • Example: Comparing specific shades of hair (red, black, brown) and their attractiveness ratings.

Illustrating Experimental Validity

  • The importance of using the same participant to ensure consistent results in determining dependent variable influence.
  • Discuss the concept of counterbalancing to mitigate biases in how conditions are presented during an experiment.

Conducting Psychological Experiments

  • Emphasis on needing controlled environments for accuracy in psychological findings.
  • Discussions on conducting an in-class experiment to further engage with the presented concepts.