Research Methods in Psychology

Do Now

• Which contemporary perspective of psychology do you most identify with? Why?

Steps to Scientific Method

• Observation• Define problem• Propose hypothesis• Gather evidence• Write results• Build theory

Experiment Lingo

• Hypothesis• Subjects: Those involved in experiment• Independent variable: Will be manipulated

by experimenter• Dependent variable: Will be affected by

independent variable

Our Experiment

• How does a full moon affect the admissions rate to a mental hospital?

What is our hypothesis?

• Hypothesis: A statement of the results the experimenter expects. The statement is an explanation of an event or relationship.

There is an increase in admission to a mental hospital during a full moon.

A Closer Look at Variables

• The full moon (independent variable)

• Mental hospital admission rates (dependent variable)

AFFECTS

Who are we going to test?

• People admitted to mental hospitals– Those who are admitted on a full moon

• These people ARE receiving independent variable (full moon) EXPERIMENTAL GROUP

– Those who are admitted when there is not a full moon

• These people ARE NOT receiving independent variable (full moon) CONTROL GROUP

Do Now

• What is an independent variable?• What is a dependent variable?• What is an experimental group?

People in Uniform

Are people more or less likely to respond to a person in uniform?

• Hypothesis: • Independent variable • Dependent variable • Experimental group: • Control group:

People are more likely to respond to someone in uniform.

People in uniform

Participants’ responses

Participants who are approached by person in uniform.

Participants who are approached by person not in uniform.

Milgram Experimenthttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpIzju84v24&feature=related

• Motivated by Holocaust and other atrocities mankind had carried out. – Wanted to understand how “normal” men could

carry out such vicious and cruel acts.

Affect of Sleeping Pills

Do sleeping pills help healthy people with insomnia sleep better?

• Hypothesis: • Independent variable • Dependent variable • Experimental group: • Control group:

Sleeping pills will help people with insomnia sleep better. .

Sleeping pills.

People’s sleep

Participants who take sleeping pill.

Participants who take placebo.

1. Testing Method

• Several types of test administered to measure elements of behavior

• Advantages: Convenient

• Disadvantages: Not always a complete representation of true abilities or personality

Four Temperaments

• Guardians speak mostly of their duties and responsibilities, of what they can keep an eye on and take good care of, and they're careful to obey the laws, follow the rules, and respect the rights of others.

• Idealists speak mostly of what they hope for and imagine might be possible for people, and they want to act in good conscience, always trying to reach their goals without compromising their personal code of ethics.

• Artisans speak mostly about what they see right in front of them, about what they can get their hands on, and they will do whatever works, whatever gives them a quick, effective payoff, even if they have to bend the rules.

• Rationals speak mostly of what new problems intrigue them and what new solutions they envision, and always pragmatic, they act as efficiently as possible to achieve their objectives, ignoring arbitrary rules and conventions if need be.

2. Case-Study

• In-depth investigation of individual or small group

• Advantages: Provides insight into specific cases

• Disadvantages: May focus on isolated circumstance – not applicable to full population; people interviewed may distort facts of past

3. Longitudinal Study

• A group of participants are observed in intervals over an extended period of time

• Advantages: Enables researchers to see change over time

• Disadvantages: Time-consuming, expensive; some participants may not be available through whole study

Affect of Violent TV on Youth

• 15 years Followed 329 individuals• Same 329 had been studied in 1977

– Asked about favorite violent TV show and if related to characters, situations

• 2002: Individuals, spouses, and friends interviewed– Found that those who were high-violence

viewers were more violent

4. Cross-sectional Study

• Researchers compare differences and similarities among people in different age groups

• Advantages: Less time-consuming than longitudinal

• Disadvantages: Differences between participants cannot necessarily be attributed to age or development

Language Learning

• You want to gain an understanding into how children learn languages

• You study 12, 14, and 16 month old babies

5. Naturalistic-Observation

• Researchers observe behavior of people or animals in natural habitats

• Advantages: Able to observe behavior in setting that is not artificial

• Disadvantages: No control over setting or events that occur

Jane Goodall(45 year study)

6. Laboratory-Observation

• Participants observed in lab setting

• Advantages: Can precisely control certain aspects of study

• Disadvantages: Cannot duplicate real-life environments

Posters!

• Make a poster for one of the six observation methods.

• You must include:– The name of the method– A description or definition of the method– A visual representation of the method

– Don’t forget to put YOUR name on the poster (front or back)

Correlation!

The relationship between variables• More closely related = stronger correlation

– Height is closely related to ability to reach basketball hoop Strong correlation between height and ability to reach

Positive Correlation

Height

Negative Correlation

Stress

Does correlation = causation?

• In other words, if two variables are related, does that mean that one

causes another?• NO! Just because two things are related does not mean one causes

the other.

Causation?

• You discover a positive correlation between students’ grades and their level of involvement in extracurricular activities.

• Earning high grades CAUSE involvement?

The Six Methods of Observation

• In your INB, make the following chart and complete by using your textbook (p. 45-48).

Method of Observation

Description Advantages Disadvantages

Testing

Case-Study

Longitudinal

Cross-sectional

Naturalistic-Observation

Laboratory