WHAT IS PSYCHOLOGY?

TYPES OF PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH METHODS

TYPES OF PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH METHODS Survey Method - Researchers directly question subjects using a

survey to test the hypothesis

Observational Method - Researchers conduct in-depth investigations of

individuals or small groups to test the hypothesis

Experimental Method - Researchers conduct controlled laboratory

experiments to test the hypothesis

SURVEY METHOD

Stuff to know about the Survey Method The method…

1. Researchers develop a questionnaire designed to test the hypothesis

2. Researchers decide on a target population3. Researcher select an appropriate sample of

that population

Advantages?Advantages?1. Easy to conduct 2. Easy to analyze

Disadvantages?Disadvantages?1. Untruthful answers 2. Biased answers

METHODS OF OBSERVATION

METHODS OF OBSERVATION Case-Studies - Researchers conduct in-depth investigations of

individuals or small groups.- Can be either in laboratories or in natural

environment Bobo Doll Experiment- Method used by Freud & Piaget

- Advantages? Disadvantages? Advantages? Disadvantages?

Longitudinal Studies- A group of participants are observed at

intervals over an extended period of time.- The Case of Genie Wiley

- Advantages? Disadvantages? Advantages? Disadvantages?

-

METHODS OF OBSERVATION Cross-Sectional Studies- Researchers compare the differences

and similarities among people in different age groups at a given time

- Advantages? Disadvantages? Advantages? Disadvantages?

GOALS OF OF OBSERVATION Correlations & Expectations- The goal of the observation method is

to measure correlation- Correlation is the measure of the

relationship between two variables- This relationship could be positive or

negative - Advantages? Disadvantages?Advantages? Disadvantages?

- Correlation does not mean control….. Correlation does not mean control…..

EXPERIMENTAL METHOD

EXPERIMENTAL METHOD

Experimental- Method researchers used to answer

questions about cause and effect

EXPERIMENTAL METHOD

Variables - Factors that can vary, or change

Independent Variables - Factor that is manipulated by the

researcher to determine its effect on another variable

Dependent Variables - The factor that is being measured and

may change in response to manipulations of the independent variable

IDENTIFY THE VARIABLES…

Mr. C is testing a hypothesis that warm temperatures cause

aggression in humans.

What is the independent variable? What is the dependent variable?

EXPERIMENTAL METHOD

Experimental and Control Groups

- Experimental Group—receive the treatment

- Control Group—do not receive the treatment

IDENTIFY THE GROUPS

Mr. C is conducting an experiment to test his hypothesis that students’ grades increase when they are

involved in extracurricular activities.

What would be the control group? What would be the experimental

group?

EXPERIMENTAL METHOD

Placebo “Effect” - Placebo—a substance or treatment

that has no effect apart from a person’s belief in it

- Placebo Effect—”feeling better” because we expect to feel better

- Best way to control for the placebo effect in an experiment is to include a placebo in an experiment

PLACEBO EFFECT

A participant in an experiment is told that a particular pill should improve

her performance on a cognitive task. The participant is then given the pill, and she performs better

than usual on the task. In actuality, the pill did not contain any

ingredients that would affect her performance on the task.

EXPERIMENTAL METHOD

Single-Blind Studies - Participants do not know

whether they are in the experimental or control group

Double-Blind Studies - A study in which both

participants and experimenters are unaware of who receives treatment