Mod 2

Understanding Psychological Science

• Psychological science is crucial in the study of human behavior and thinking.

• Humans often rely on intuition and common sense, but these can lead to flawed conclusions.

• Notable biases include:

  • Hindsight bias: The belief that one could have predicted an outcome after learning about it ("I knew it all along")

  • Overconfidence: The tendency to believe we know more than we actually do.

Post-Truth Culture

• The term "post-truth" describes a culture where emotions and personal beliefs override objective facts.

• This phenomenon can be seen in:

  • Political party bias

  • Spread of false news

  • Group echo chambers that reinforce like-minded beliefs.

The Need for a Scientific Mindset

• To counter biases, we should adopt a scientific mindset:

  • Engage in listening and learning.

  • Foster shared understanding of facts across political divides.

• Discussions on media platforms like Twitter often reinforce political polarization; users engage mainly with similar ideological viewpoints.

The Scientific Method

• The scientific method is a self-correcting process involving:

  • Observations and analyses

  • Peer reviews to validate findings.

• Research informs hypotheses and theories; can include:

  • Exploratory research

  • Meta-analysis

• Example study: Testing memory performance comparing well-rested vs. sleep-deprived individuals.

Methods of Research in Psychology

Descriptive Methods

• Aim to describe behaviors through:

  • Case studies: In-depth examination of an individual or group, limitations in generalizability.

  • Surveying: Gathering self-reported data from a representative sample.

    • Importance of wording effects in survey questions (e.g., "affirmative action" vs. "preferential treatment").

  • Naturalistic observations: Observing behavior in a natural setting without interference.

Correlational Methods

• Assess the relationship between two variables:

  • Positive correlation: As one variable increases, so does the other.

  • Negative correlation: As one variable increases, the other decreases.

• Correlation does not imply causation; does not determine the directionality of the relationship.

• Illusory correlations: Perceived relationships between variables that may not exist.

• Regression towards the mean: Extremes in data tend to move towards average values over time.

Experimental Methods

• Experiments manipulate independent variables to observe effects on dependent variables; control confounding variables to establish causation.

• Random assignment: Ensures each participant has an equal chance of being included in experimental/control groups to eliminate biases.

• Double-blind procedures: Neither participants nor researchers know who receives treatment versus placebo, minimizing bias in results.

• Placebo effect: Changes in behavior or health due solely to expected outcomes from receiving a treatment, whether real or placebo.

Variables in Experiments

• Independent variable: The manipulated factor.

• Dependent variable: The measured outcome.

• Confounding variables: Any other variables that could affect the results, which should be controlled for in experiments.

• Example: Investigating social media's impact on depression through a Facebook deactivation study.

Research Ethics

• Importance of ethical standards in psychological research:

  • Informed consent: Participants must agree to partake based on sufficient information.

  • Confidentiality: Participants' information must be kept private.

  • Protection from harm: Researchers must safeguard participants' wellbeing.

  • Debriefing: Participants should receive detailed information about the study post-participation.

• Professional codes of conduct by organizations like APA ensure the humane treatment of both human and animal subjects.

Scientific Integrity and Trust

• Trust in science is paramount; the public rates scientists and healthcare providers high on the trustworthiness scale.

• Awareness of values impacting research: Values, expectations, and beliefs can cloud objectivity; psychological science can be influenced by these biases.

Conclusion

• Psychological science seeks to understand general behavioral principles rather than specific behaviors.

• Awareness of biases, adherence to ethical standards, and the scientific method are vital for integrity in research.