1. © 2001 Laura Snodgrass, Ph.D.1 Experimental Psychology Introduction

2. © 2001 Laura Snodgrass, Ph.D.2 Purpose of this course Learn experimental methodology Gain experience doing research Why? –better understanding of Psychology –any area of graduate work –learn how to answer questions –understand and critique journal articles –employable skills

3. © 2001 Laura Snodgrass, Ph.D.3 Knowing College should teach you: –to think –to evaluate –to find your own answers –to distinguish opinion from theory from fact

4. © 2001 Laura Snodgrass, Ph.D.4 Ways of knowing Intuition and Common sense Practical judgment and experience How can experience go wrong? Method of Tenacity Rumors - repetition enhances validity Ignore contradictory evidence Method of Authority Government, Professionals, Textbooks

5. © 2001 Laura Snodgrass, Ph.D.5 Knowing Continued What about conflicting authorities? Authorities that lie? How do you decide? Magic Knowledge and Control imitative magic contagious magic The roots of science - alchemy

6. © 2001 Laura Snodgrass, Ph.D.6 Science as a path to knowledge Objectivity Not dependent on beliefs and perceptions of individuals Empirical Data is gathered to support ideas Self Correcting Reproducibility - replication needed for error correction

7. © 2001 Laura Snodgrass, Ph.D.7 Scientific Reasoning Inductive Reasoning Observed facts are used to generate hypotheses or theories Deductive Reasoning Specific implications are derived from a theory

8. © 2001 Laura Snodgrass, Ph.D.8 Goals of Science Description of behavior Prediction of behavior Determining causes of behavior Explaining behavior

9. © 2001 Laura Snodgrass, Ph.D.9 Six Basic Steps in Science The problem (issue to be investigated) Testable hypothesis (or hypotheses) Definition of terms Gather data Analyze data Draw conclusions