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8/14/2019 1 the Science of Psychology Chpt 1
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The Science of Psychology
Chapter 1
Myers 7th ed.
Summary
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The limits of intuition and common
sense
What makes something a science?
Intuition and common sense are often wrong.Hindsight Bias
People often think something was obviously goingto happen AFTER it happens. After people knowan answer they will look for reasons to explainand justify it, even if its the wrong answer theywill become more convinced its the right answer.
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The limits of intuition and common
sense
Overconfidence People tend to
think they knowmore than theydo.
Even afterpeople areshown to bewrong they ofteninsist they wereright or partiallyright
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The Scientific Attitude
Being skeptical but not cynical
Being open but not gullibleHaving humility
Valuing the truth over being right
Critical thinking examining the evidence SHOW ME THE EVIDENCE!
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The Scientific Method
Scientific Theory An evolving explanation that accurately predicts
and organizes observable phenomenon. Ascientific theory is only as valuable as its ability topredict outcomes accurately.
The ability to predict an action is proven through
experimentation controlled and logical testingthat can be repeated by anyone so they can seefor themselves the theory works.
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Experimentation
Operational Definitions very specifically
describes critical concepts in an experimentso that people will be able to replicate it
exactly.
Hypothesis
A testable prediction
An experiment can be very valuable and provide
critical information even if it fails.
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Psychological Research
Psychologist try to gather information
using case studies, surveys, and natural
observation.
Case studies Provides in depth information on one subject
Good: provides a lot of detailed information
Bad: information only definitely applies tothat one person and might not be valid for
others
Skull of Phineas Gage,
famous psychological case study
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Psychological Research
The Survey
Gathers information on many subjects but withless detail.
Good: Can be used to easily gather a lot of
information on a lot of people
Bad: Information is not that in depth, resultsmight be tainted by wording effects, or sampling
issues
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Sampling issues
Surveys are a very common powerful tool for
research but they can often give misleadinginformation due to sampling issues.
You must find the correct population to draw
your sample from.
Within that population you must use randomsampling. This avoids the false consensus
effect.
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Naturalistic Observation
Observing subjects in their natural setting
without trying to control anything. Simplywatching.
Good a lot of information can be revealed
about how subjects actually act.
Bad limitations of observer and physicallywhere they are and what they can see.
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Correlation
Psychologists use statistics and correlation to
show the strength of a relationship betweentwo things.
However, there are illusionary correlations
and cause and effect are still
undeterminable.Correlation does NOT equal causation.
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Illusory Correlations
When we believe there is a relationship
between two things we are likely to recall andnotice instances that confirm our beliefs.
For example, perceiving order in random
events lottery, exact change etc.
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Experimentation
In order to determine cause and effect an
experiment must be done. To find cause and effect experiments attempt
to manipulate factors of interestand control
all other factors.
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Experimental Factors
Bias the double blind procedure provides that
neither the participants nor the scientists are not
aware of who is actually being tested to remove allbias.
Placebo effect a well documented effect in
humans, if a patient believes he is getting treatment
around 30% of the time he will get better even if heis not. The placebo effect always wears off and is
unusable for long term effects.
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Experimental and Control groups
Experimental subjects are randomly selectedto be part of the experimental group (thegroup that will get the experimentaltreatment) and a Control group (the groupthat will get a placebo)
This procedure shows the results of theexperimental group in contrast to the controlgroup and make for a reliable study ofeffects.
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Independent/Dependant variables
Independent variable the thing that will
be changedin the experiment between theexperimental group and the control group.
Dependant variable the thing that will be
measuredin both groups to determine the
effect of the independent variable
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Basic Stats.
Stats are used in almost every psychological
research paper so they are important to know how to
read and interpret.
Measures of Central Tendency
-Mode: Most frequently occurring number
-Median: The number at which half the numbers are
above it, and half below.
-Mean: The arithmetic average of all numbers
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Stats
Standard Deviation: A
computed score that tells
how scores vary around themean score.
Statistical Significance: A
statistical statement that
tells you how likely a result
was made by chance (asopposed to actually affected
by an independent variable
in an experiment.)