1. Unit 1: Science of Psychology
WHS AP Psychology
Unit 1: Science of Psychology
Essential Task 1-4: Differentiate types of Research with regard to purpose, strengths and weaknesses
-Descriptive Research: Case Studies, Naturalistic Observation and Surveys
-Correlational Research
-Experimental Research
Logo Green is R=8 G=138 B= Blue is R= 0 G=110 B=184
Border Grey is R=74 G=69 B=64

2. The Science of Psychology
Approaches to Psych
Growth of Psych
Research Methods
Statistics
Descriptive
Correlation
Experiment
Case Study
Survey
Naturalistic Observation
Inferential
Ethics
Sampling
Central Tendency
Variance
Careers
We are here

3. Essential Task 1-4: Hypothesis vs. Theory Types of Research
Outline
Hypothesis vs. Theory
Types of Research
Descriptive
Purpose
Strengths and Weaknesses
1. Case Studies
2. Surveys
3. Naturalistic Observation
Correlational
Experimental

5. Hypothesis
Hypothesis is a testable prediction that lets us accept, reject or revise a theory.
If families do not stress gender differences then there will be fewer sex differences in siblings. 5

6. Theory
Theory is an EXPLANATION based on evidence that PREDICTS behaviors or events.
A Theory must:
1. Fit the known facts
2. Predict new discoveries
3. Be falsifiable
4. be simple. The simpler the better – Occam’s Razor
If we were to observe that depressed people talk about their past, present, and future in a gloomy manner, we may theorize that low-self-esteem contributes to depression. 6

7. Start with observations
Observe and describe the world with descriptive research
Form a hypothesis from your observations
Test your hypothesis.
Re-test your hypothesis
Then test it gain.
If it holds up you have a theory

8. 1. Observe the physiological reactions to fear
Pupils dilate
Flushing
Breathing increases
Heart beat increases
Sphincters release
All of these shots are taken from the Fear Factory at Niagara falls. Pictures are taken the moment a very scary thing happens much like ride photos on a amusement park ride.

9. 1. Form Hypothesis from your observations
If humans have a physiological reaction to a stimulus, they will experience an emotion. (James-Lange Theory of Emotion)

11. Descriptive Research Purpose – To describe what is in reality
Strengths
Certain descriptive research methods can be quick
You can generalize (apply to more than just those from which you sampled) your findings with some descriptive research methods
Weaknesses
Can’t help you predict
Can’t give you cause and effect
Each descriptive research method has their own weaknesses as well

12. 3 Types of Descriptive Research
Naturalistic Observation
Survey
Case Studies

13. Correlational Research
Purpose – to show relationship between two variables.
Strength – If you know how they are related you can predict outcomes.
Weakness – Correlation is not causation.

14. Experimental Research
Purpose – to establish cause and effect relationships between variables.
Strength – You find out if one variable (IV) causes a change in another variable (DV)
Weakness – Confounding variables, experimenter bias, etc.

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