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| A prediction or assumption about behavior that is tested through scientific research. |
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| To repeat a research study, usually with different participants and in different situations, to confirm the results of the original study. |
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| A concept that cannot be seen or measured directly. |
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| The general procedure followed when conducting experimental investigation. |
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| Ways that psychological research is used: |
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1.Study development and external factors and the role they play on individuals' mental health
2.Study people with specific psychological disorders, symptoms, or characteristics
3.Develop tests to measure specific psychological phenomenon
4.Develop treatment approaches to improve individuals' mental health |
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| occurs when differences between groups are present at the beginning of the experiment. |
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| involves the influencing of performance due to the subject’s belief about the results. In other words, if I believe the new medication will help me feel better, I may feel better even if the new medication is only a sugar pill. This demonstrates the power of the mind to change a person’s perceptions of reality. |
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| The same way a person’s belief’s can influence his or her perception, so can the belief of the experimenter. If I’m doing an experiment, and really believe my treatment works, or I really want the treatment to work because it will mean big bucks for me, I might behave in a manner that will influence the subject. |
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| which means assigning the subjects to each group based on chance rather than human decision. |
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| subjects are often not informed of the purpose of the experiment. |
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| both the experimenter and the subjects are blind to the purpose and anticipated results of the study. |
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| Make sure all instructions/procedure are the same so that the experiment may be replicated. |
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| Naturalistic Observations |
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Observing behavior in their natural environment
Often involves counting behaviors, such as number of aggressive acts, number of smiles, etc.
Advantages: Behavior is naturally occurring and is not manipulated by a researcher and it can provide more qualitative data as opposed to merely quantitative information.
Limitations: Even the presence of someone observing can cause those being observed to alter their behavior. Researcher’s beliefs can also alter their observations. And, it is very difficult to coordinate multiple observers since observed behaviors must be operationally defined (e.g. what constitutes an aggressive act) |
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Following a single case, typically over an extended period of time
Can involve naturalistic observations, and include psychological testing, interviews, interviews with others, and the application of a treatment or observation
Advantages: Can gather extensive information, both qualitative and quantitative and it can be helpful in better understanding rare cases or very specific interventions
Limitations: Only one case is involved, severely limiting the generalization to the rest of the population. Can be very time consuming and can involve other problems specific to the techniques used, including researcher bias. |
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Everyone has probably heard of this and many of you have been involved in research involving surveys. They are often used in the news, especially to gather viewer opinions such as during a race for president
Advantages: Can gather large amounts of information in a relatively short time, especially now with many surveys being conducted on the internet.
Limitations: Survey data is based solely on subjects’ responses which can be inaccurate due to outright lying, misunderstanding of the question, placebo effect, and even the manner in which the question is asked. |
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Correlation means relationship, so the purpose of a correlational study is to determine if a relationship exists, what direction the relationship is, and how strong it is.
Advantages: Can assess the strength of a relationship. Is popular with lay population because it is relatively easy to explain and understand.
Limitations: Can not make any assumptions of cause and effect (explain how third a variable can be involved, or how the variables can influence each other). |
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Utilizing testing to gather information about a group or an individual
Advantages: Most tests are normed and standardized, which means they have very reliable and valid results. Popular with businesses looking for data on employees and with difficult or specific therapy cases
Limitations: Tests which are not rigorously normed and standardized can easily result in inaccurate results. |
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| Five steps to researching in psychology. |
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| Formulate a testable hypothesis, Select research method and define study, collect the data, analyze the data and conclusion, and finally report the findings. |
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| In an experiment, the group that does not receive the treatment. |
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| An experiment that uses both a control group and an experimental group to determine whether the independent variable influences behavior and, if so, how it does so. |
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| In a study, the participants who receive the treatment. |
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| A controlled scientific procedure to determine whether certain variables manipulated by the researcher have an effect on other variables. |
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