Psychology Psychologist need evidence to support assumptions Uses the Scientific Method to learn about the world through the application of critical thinking.

Scientific Method Ask a QuestionForm a Hypothesis Test Hypothesis-Identify best way to gather data

Analyze resultsDraw conclusionsReplicate and form a theory

Samples and Populations Population: the entire group of people about whom you would like to know something. Researchers need to make sure they have the right population. Why is population important? The outcome will not be accurate if they don’t have the right population. Sample-A part of the population. They must represent the target population. Larger samples are more accurate.

Collecting Data-surveys Survey-Research method that questions a sample of people to collect information about their attitudes or behaviors. Very useful in gathering data but there are disadvantages to a survey. People may not be honest, they may want to please the interviewer, they fear their answers may not be kept confidential. Often used in correlational studies

Methods of Observation Tests-Personality tests, IQ tests Case Study-an in depth investigation of an individual or group. Longitudinal method- studies a group of participants over a long period of time. Naturalistic –observational method-study people in their natural habitat Laboratory method-provides a place to observe and study.

Correlations (correlational study) Measure of how closely one thing is related to another Positive-as one increases, so does the other Negative-one increases, the other decreases Zero-there is no correlation shown It describes relationships but does not mean that one thing causes another

Experimental Method A research method in which the researcher manipulates and controls the certain variables to observe the effect on other variables. Purpose is to try and answer cause and effect. You start with a hypothesis.

Variables Variables-things that can change or vary in an experiment. Independent Variables are variables that can be manipulated. They are considered the stimulus. Dependent variables are variable that depend on the independent variable. They are considered the response. For ex: The number of hours you study (IV) affects your performance on an exam. (DV)

Problems with research Self fulfilling prophecy: having expectations about a behavior and then acting on it, often unknowingly, to carry out the behavior. Placebo effect: A change in a patients illness (behavior) that results in forming a belief that the treatment will have an affect rather than one from the actual treatment. (sugar pill)

Single blind experiment: An experiment in which the participants are unaware of which participants received the treatment. Double blind experiment: an experiment in which neither the experimenter or the participants know which participants received the treatment. More accurate. Eliminates biases and expectations

Single blind vs. Double blind ExperimenterParticipantsOrganizer of Experiment Single BlindAwareunawareaware Double Blindunaware aware

Research Ethics Psychologists must follow standards for proper and responsible behavior that have been established by the APA (American Psychological Association). Informed consent & confidentiality is required to protect the rights and privacy of the participants. Protection form harm and discomfort Debriefing The use of animals in experiments is still up for debate. Federal legislation has been passed to protect animals