Chapter 1: Caused People's Loneliness
Hypothesis Testing in Psychology
Hypothesis testing is an essential process after describing data using descriptive statistics.
It helps us determine whether our data supports the initial hypothesis.
Experimental Design Example
A hypothetical experiment involving first-year university students is presented to explain the concept further.
Random Assignment
Participants are randomly assigned to two different groups in the study:
Group 1: Allowed to text message with their friends.
Group 2: Not allowed to text message (phones taken away).
Independent Variable
The independent variable manipulated in our experiment is:
Text Messaging Permission
Group 1 (allowed)
Group 2 (not allowed)
Dependent Variable
The effect of the independent variable is measured using a survey that rates loneliness.
Measurement Tool: Questionnaire used to assess loneliness.
Scoring: Higher scores indicate increased feelings of loneliness.
Collected Data
Average loneliness scores from the survey for both groups:
Group 1 (Allowed to text):
Mean score of 78.
Group 2 (Not allowed to text):
Mean score of 81.
Analysis of Results
The main question to consider is whether the difference in average scores between the two groups suggests that the manipulation (restriction of texting) caused a change in loneliness scores.
The difference in average scores:
Group 1 Mean: 78
Group 2 Mean: 81
Difference: 81 - 78 = 3
Conclusion Considerations
To conclude whether our manipulation had an effect on loneliness scores, further statistical analysis is needed to determine if the difference is significant.
The question presented at the end poses whether we can claim that the manipulation caused the increase in loneliness scores based on the observed differences.
This reasoning emphasizes the importance of statistical testing following the collection of experimental data to validate the findings.