Intro to psych

Assignment Overview

  • You will read a primary research report, meaning the original work by the researchers who conducted the study.

  • Unlike secondary sources (e.g., Kallet), primary sources provide firsthand accounts of research findings.

  • The report is intended for a professional audience, which may pose challenges if you're used to introductory-level materials.

Reading the Research

  • Expect that understanding these studies will take significant time and effort.

  • Utilize available resources such as the writing center for support, and draft submissions can be sent for feedback a week before the due date.

  • Remember, late submission requests must be justified clearly and communicated early.

Article Selection

  • A list of preselected articles related to course topics available through the campus library databases.

  • Use PsycArticles as a primary resource; understand that search results may include multiple relevant articles.

  • Always include citations in your paper; plagiarism will result in receiving a zero for the assignment.

Citation Guidelines

  • Proper referencing is essential to avoid academic dishonesty, with citations included in the text as needed.

  • Familiarize yourself with how to format citations properly, such as including last names of the researchers in parentheses within the text.

Understanding Results

  • Focus on summarizing the pattern of results rather than providing detailed statistical analysis.

  • Interpret findings in layman's terms, explaining distinctions between different groups without overly technical language.

Writing the Discussion

  • The discussion section of the paper should summarize findings in understandable language, omitting technical jargon such as specific statistical tests.

  • Clearly outline differences in groups identified through the study.

Interpretation Section

  • Align the interpretation with relevant textbook material; reference corresponding modules that relate to your study topic.

  • Don’t quote but summarize how the study connects to textbook concepts, such as topics on attention or sensory systems.

Sensation vs. Perception

  • Sensation involves detecting and transducing stimulus energy; perception involves interpreting sensory input.

  • Distal stimuli are objects in the environment that can trigger responses in sensory systems.

  • Perceptual processes can correct orientation discrepancies in sensory input, illustrating how the brain interprets signals from the eye.

Eye Functionality

  • Receptors in the retina transmit light wave energy into signals for the brain, which processes these signals for perception.

  • The optic nerve is crucial for transmitting visual information but has blind spots due to lack of receptors.

Conclusion

  • Understanding the structure and function of sensory systems is vital to grasp how stimuli are transformed into perceptual experiences.