In Psyc history… On September 4, 1929: “Psi Chi, the national honor society in psychology, was founded at Yale University during the Ninth International Congress of Psychology by a group of faculty and students that included Edwin B. Newman and Frederick H. Lewis. Newman was elected president. Psi Chi was first named Sigma Pi, then Sigma Pi Sigma, until it was discovered that those were names of a social fraternity and a physics society. Psi Chi was chosen as the name in ” From:

 What research methods do psychologists use?  How do psychologists establish cause-and- effect relationships in research studies? Feldman, R. S. (2013). Understanding psychology (11th ed.). New York: McGraw Hill.

 Research ◦ Systematic inquiry aimed at the discovery of new knowledge ◦ Key to understanding the accuracy of hypotheses and theories  Descriptive research ◦ Systematic investigation of a person, group, or pattern of behavior Feldman, R. S. (2013). Understanding psychology (11th ed.). New York: McGraw Hill.

 Archival Research  Naturalistic Observation  Survey Research  Case Studies  Correlational Research  Experimental Research Feldman, R. S. (2013). Understanding psychology (11th ed.). New York: McGraw Hill.

 Existing data is used to investigate a hypothesis  Examples: ◦ Census documents ◦ College records ◦ Newspaper clippings  Problem with using existing data: ◦ Data may not be in a form that allows the researcher to test a hypothesis fully Feldman, R. S. (2013). Understanding psychology (11th ed.). New York: McGraw Hill.

 Investigator simply observes some naturally occurring behavior ◦ Does not make a change in the situation  Advantage: Sample of what people do in their natural habitat  Disadvantage: Inability to control any of the factors of interest Feldman, R. S. (2013). Understanding psychology (11th ed.). New York: McGraw Hill.

 People are asked a series of questions about their behavior, thoughts, or attitudes  Pitfalls 1.Results will be inconsequential if the sample is not representative 2.Survey respondents may not want to admit to holding socially undesirable attitudes Feldman, R. S. (2013). Understanding psychology (11th ed.). New York: McGraw Hill.

 In-depth, intensive investigation of a single individual or a small group ◦ Psychological testing  Drawback: Unique individuals make it impossible for generalizations Feldman, R. S. (2013). Understanding psychology (11th ed.). New York: McGraw Hill.

 Research in which the relationship between two sets of variables is examined to determine: ◦ Whether they are associated, or “correlated”  Correlation coefficient ◦ Positive: As the value of one variable increases, so will the value of the other variable ◦ Negative: As the value of one variable increases, value of the other variable will decrease  Drawback: Inability to demonstrate cause-and- effect relationships OR Feldman, R. S. (2013). Understanding psychology (11th ed.). New York: McGraw Hill.

 If r = +.70 or higher Very strong positive relationship  +.40 to +.69 Strong positive relationship  +.30 to +.39 Moderate positive relationship  +.20 to +.29 weak positive relationship  +.01 to +.19 No or negligible relationship  -.01 to -.19 No or negligible relationship  -.20 to -.29 weak negative relationship  -.30 to -.39 Moderate negative relationship  -.40 to -.69 Strong negative relationship  -.70 or higher Very strong negative relationship

 1. There was a -.85 relationship between the amount of exercise people do and their weight. What does this mean?  2. It has been found that the more control people have over their work environments, the more productive they are. What type of correlation would this be?  3. A study found that the less drugs people do the higher their grade point average, what type of correlation would this be?

 4. A study found that the more people sleep, the younger they are. This is an example of what type of correlation?  5. If a +.55 relationship was found between variable A and variable B what would this mean?  6. Research has found that the bigger the credit line a bank offers, the more money people owe. This is an example of a ________________ correlation.  7. If I found a correlation coefficient of.-75 between variables A and Variables B what would this mean?

 Experiment: Investigation of the relationship between two (or more) variables ◦ Completed by producing a change in one variable in a situation and observing the effects on the second variable  Experimental manipulation: Change that an experimenter deliberately produces in a situation Feldman, R. S. (2013). Understanding psychology (11th ed.). New York: McGraw Hill.

 Experimental groups and control groups ◦ Treatment  Manipulation implemented by the experimenter ◦ Experimental group  Any group participating in an experiment that receives a treatment ◦ Control group  Group participating in an experiment that receives no treatment Feldman, R. S. (2013). Understanding psychology (11th ed.). New York: McGraw Hill.

 Independent variable: The variable that is manipulated by an experimenter  Dependent variable: The variable that is measured ◦ Expected to change as a result of changes in the independent variable Feldman, R. S. (2013). Understanding psychology (11th ed.). New York: McGraw Hill.

 1. Dr. Baldwin studies the effects of marijuana on memory she designs an experiment where half the group is receiving THC ( the active ingredient in Marijuana) and the other group gets oregano. The subjects are all given the same list of words to study while they are smoking the substances. Recall is tested 1 hour later.  2. A test was designed to test the effects of alcohol on motor coordination group one was given a mixed drink with two shots of alcohol in it. Group two was given a mixed drink with one shot of alcohol in it. Then their motor coordination was tested by asking them to do a series of balancing exercises.

 3. A study was conducted on sleep deprivation and cognitive performance on a problem solving test. One group of subjects was deprived of 1 hour of sleep, the other group of subjects was deprived of 4 hours of sleep. Then they were given the problem solving test.  4. A recent report found that blueberries enhanced the maze running performance of mice. What was the independent variable and dependent variable of this experiment?

 5.We are studying whether or not a new vitamin supplement helps boost memory retention. What is the IV and DV?  6. If I wished to try a new cooperative teaching method and I wanted to study how effective it is compared to the standard lecture method. How would I design my experiment?

 Random assignment to condition: Participants are assigned to different experimental groups or “conditions” on the basis of chance Feldman, R. S. (2013). Understanding psychology (11th ed.). New York: McGraw Hill.

 Significant outcome: Meaningful results ◦ Make it possible for researchers to feel confident that they have confirmed their hypotheses  Replicated research: Research that is repeated Feldman, R. S. (2013). Understanding psychology (11th ed.). New York: McGraw Hill.

 What major issues confront psychologists conducting research? Feldman, R. S. (2013). Understanding psychology (11th ed.). New York: McGraw Hill.

 Informed consent: A document signed by participants: ◦ Affirms that they have been told about the basic outlines of the study Feldman, R. S. (2013). Understanding psychology (11th ed.). New York: McGraw Hill.

 Procedures that subject animals to distress are permitted: 1.When an alternative procedure is unavailable 2.When the research is justified by its prospective value  Provides greater experimental control over nonhumans  Procedures that might not be possible with people can be carried out Feldman, R. S. (2013). Understanding psychology (11th ed.). New York: McGraw Hill.

 Experimental bias: Factors that distort the way the independent variable affects the dependent variable ◦ Experimenter expectations ◦ Participant expectations Feldman, R. S. (2013). Understanding psychology (11th ed.). New York: McGraw Hill.

 Placebo: A false treatment without any significant chemical properties  Double-blind procedure: Keeping experimenter and participant “blind” to the nature of the drug administered Feldman, R. S. (2013). Understanding psychology (11th ed.). New York: McGraw Hill.