Intro to psychology

Course Assignments

• Due Date: First set of assignments due Sunday

• Components: Each chapter includes three components

  • Ebook Learning Checks:

  • Embedded questions throughout the reading

  • Completing all earns a full grade.

  • Inquisitive Assignments:

  • Time Requirement: Allocate at least 1-2 hours for completion, especially for the first assignment.

  • Variability in Completion Time:

    • Some complete it in 20 minutes; others take the full 2 hours.

  • Warning: Deadline cut off at 11:59 PM—late submissions won't be accepted.

  • Zaps Interactive Lab:

  • Average completion time: 20 minutes.

  • Importance of time management emphasized.

• Gradebook Notes:

  • Initial scores marked as dropped.

  • The system drops the two lowest scores by the end of the semester.

• Non-class Days:

  • No class on Monday of next week due to a school holiday.

Psychology Basics

• Objective vs. Subjective:

  • Psychology is objective and that it seeks facts, not opinions.

  • Example:

  • Objective: "Those aren't oranges." (scientific insight)

  • Subjective: "I love oranges." (personal opinion)

• Psychology as Science:

  • Psychologists use an empirical approach:

  • Evidence-based research informs conclusions.

  • Empirical research may contradict personal beliefs, necessitating an open-minded perspective.

• Complexity of Psychology:

  • Human behavior is influenced by multiple factors:

  • Individual differences and various situations affect behavior.

  • Complexity prevents definitive causal statements.

• Cultural Influence in Psychology:

  • Historically dominated by "WEIRD" populations (Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, Democratic).

  • A significant lack of diversity in research participants.

  • 96% of participants reside in Western industrialized nations, representing only 12% of the global population.

• Consequences of Limited Diversity:

  • Many psychological claims based on a narrow demographic perspective.

  • Dominance of one perspective can influence theories, such as aggression being seen only as overt violence.

• Noteworthy Figures:

  • Mary Whiton Calkins: First woman to meet all requirements for a PhD in psychology but denied the degree.

  • Francis Cecil Sumner: First black American to earn a PhD in psychology (1920).

• Modern Psychology Diversity:

  • 70% of psychologists now identify as women, showing demographic shifts toward inclusivity.

Domains of Psychology

• Five Basic Domains:

  1. Biological:

  • Examines the influence of brain and body on thoughts, feelings, and behavior.

  1. Cognitive:

  • Studies how mental activity affects behaviors.

  1. Developmental:

  • Addresses growth from conception to old age.

  1. Social Personality:

  • Explores how social and personal variables define a person.

  1. Mental and Physical Health:

  • Encompasses therapy and counseling, but is just one domain.

• Interdisciplinary Approach:

  • Combines varied factors to understand how they influence each other (e.g., mental health impacts development).

Research Methods

• Importance of Research Methods:

  • Defines how psychological information is obtained.

  • Research adheres to strict ethical guidelines to ensure participant safety.

• Ethics in Research:

  • Privacy: Participation details are kept confidential.

  • Informed Consent: Participants informed of procedures, risks, and benefits.

  • Protection from Harm: Balancing risks with potential benefits.

• Ethical Research History:

  • Historical abuses in studies, such as the Albert experiment, underscore the necessity for modern ethical standards.

• Scientific Goals:

  • Aims to describe, predict, control, and explain phenomena.

Scientific Method in Psychology

• Five-Step Empirical Approach:

  1. Observation: Identify a phenomena of interest.

  2. Formulate Theory: Develop a broad explanation for observations.

  3. Develop Hypothesis: Form testable predictions from the theory.

  • A hypothesis is a testable prediction.

  1. Research Methods: Choose an appropriate method for testing.

  • Descriptive: Describes phenomena.

  • Correlational: Studies relationships but doesn't imply causation.

  • Experimental: Establish causation by manipulating variables.

  1. Analyze Data: Determine if the results supported the hypothesis.

  • Support: Strengthens the theory but doesn’t prove it.

  • Reject: May require theory or design revision.

    • Sharing Results: Avoid cherry-picking results and emphasize replication.

Correlational vs. Experimental Methods

• Variables: Anything that can be manipulated, controlled, or measured.

• Correlational Studies:

  • Investigate naturally occurring relationships without manipulation.

  • Correlation does not imply causation!

  • Positive Correlation: One variable increases and so does another.

  • Negative Correlation: One variable increases while another decreases.

  • No Correlation: No relationship exists.

  • Example: Higher exam attendance correlates with higher scores, but cannot ascertain if attendance caused higher scores.

• Experimental Studies:

  • Independent Variable: What the researcher manipulates.

  • Dependent Variable: What is measured to assess impact of the manipulation.

  • Control Group: Does not receive the experimental treatment.

  • Experimental Group: Receives the treatment.

  • Random selection and assignment of participants are crucial to valid conclusions.

  • Identify and control for confounding variables.

Final Notes

• Understanding Correlation:

  • Directionality problem and third variable problem can further complicate findings.

  • Ensure that experiments address these issues to maintain credibility.

Conclusion

• Psychological Research Depth:

  • Assignments will require understanding of all discussed components.

  • Participation and openness to diverse perspectives crucial in expanding psychological study interest.

  • Encouragement to delve deeper into psychology through coursework and active engagement.