Research

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Welcome to Welcome to Psych 101Psych 101

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OverviewOverviewPsychology isPsychology is::

Predominantly the study of normal functioning.Predominantly the study of normal functioning.

The relationship between mind and behaviorThe relationship between mind and behavior

Benefits:Benefits:Control and modification of behaviorControl and modification of behavior

Critical thinking about own and others’ behaviorCritical thinking about own and others’ behavior

Discovering differencesDiscovering differences

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Definition of PsychologyDefinition of Psychology

The scientific study of behavior and The scientific study of behavior and mind…mind…

Small sub-topicsSmall sub-topics (not in def. But oh so important….)(not in def. But oh so important….)

Emphasis on scienceEmphasis on science

Controlled observation is importantControlled observation is important

Mind refers to the subjective experienceMind refers to the subjective experience

Behavior to the actions.Behavior to the actions.

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What fields are in Psychology?What fields are in Psychology?

Clinical PsychologistsClinical Psychologists

PsychobiologyPsychobiology

Cognitive PsychologyCognitive Psychology

Developmental Developmental PsychologyPsychology

Personality PsychologyPersonality Psychology

Forensic PsychologyForensic Psychology

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Psychological ResearchPsychological ResearchScientific MethodScientific Method

Observe EnvironmentObserve Environment

Define the Problem Define the Problem by Detecting Regularities and Consistenciesby Detecting Regularities and Consistencies

Generate an Operational DefinitionGenerate an Operational Definition

Generate HypothesisGenerate HypothesisSpecific predictions (If-then statements) about phenomenaSpecific predictions (If-then statements) about phenomena

Run Study and Observe Run Study and Observe to ensure prediction correctto ensure prediction correct

Formulate A Theory to Explain FindingsFormulate A Theory to Explain FindingsFormal statements that explain how and why events are relatedFormal statements that explain how and why events are related

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Different Types of StudiesDifferent Types of Studies

Naturalistic Naturalistic

ObservationObservation Clips\naturalistic obs.avi

Case StudyCase Study

Survey, Tests or Survey, Tests or

QuestionnairesQuestionnaires Clips\Testing and data calculations.wmv

ExperimentsExperiments

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Cross Sectional VS. Longitudinal Cross Sectional VS. Longitudinal DesignDesign

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Experimental ResearchExperimental Research

VariablesVariables Independent VariableIndependent Variable Dependent VariableDependent Variable

Control Control

GroupsGroups

(Activity)(Activity)

Random AssignmentRandom Assignment

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ValidityValidityDoes a test measure what we Does a test measure what we

want it to measure?want it to measure?

Internal ValidityInternal Validity -The extent to -The extent to which an experiment has controlled which an experiment has controlled for confounding variables; internally for confounding variables; internally valid experiment allow for the valid experiment allow for the determination of causality.determination of causality.

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ReliabilityReliabilityIs the test consistent across trials?Is the test consistent across trials?

If yes then reliable.If yes then reliable.

Tests can be reliable without being valid.Tests can be reliable without being valid.

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StatisticsStatistics

Types of Central TendencyTypes of Central TendencyClips\Central Tendency.avi

MeanMean- Average- Average

ModeMode- Most Frequently - Most Frequently

Occurring ScoreOccurring Score

MedianMedian- Middle Point of scores- Middle Point of scores

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MeanMean Survey of Hand Washing in DaycareSurvey of Hand Washing in Daycare

Situation 1Situation 1 Situation 2Situation 2JackJack 44 JackJack 44SallySally 99 Sally Sally 99KimKim 44 KimKim 44JessicaJessica 55 Jessica Jessica 55TomTom 88 Tom Tom (OCD)(OCD) 2929Total 30/5 = 6Total 30/5 = 6 Total 51/5 = 10.2Total 51/5 = 10.2

Add Numbers and Divide by totalAdd Numbers and Divide by totalNo one washed 6 times -- situation 1No one washed 6 times -- situation 1Can be skewed by high/low # -- situation 2Can be skewed by high/low # -- situation 2

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ModeMode

Situation 1Situation 1

JackJack 44SallySally 99KimKim 44Jessica Jessica 55TomTom 88

Most Frequently occurring score = 4Most Frequently occurring score = 4Represents real scores, no unmeaning numbersRepresents real scores, no unmeaning numbers

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MedianMedian

Situation 1Situation 1JackJack 44 44

Sally Sally 99 44KimKim 44 55JessicaJessica 55 88TomTom 88 99Median = 5Median = 5

Middle point of scoresMiddle point of scoresEven scores-take the average of the two Even scores-take the average of the two middle scoresmiddle scores

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Data on GraphData on Graph

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Correlational ResearchCorrelational Research

A statistic that indicates whether 2 variables A statistic that indicates whether 2 variables vary together in a systematic way.vary together in a systematic way.

Correlation coefficients vary from +1.00 to -1.00Correlation coefficients vary from +1.00 to -1.00

Do not determine causality. 3Do not determine causality. 3rdrd variable factors. variable factors.

Positive CorrelationsPositive Correlations

Zero CorrelationZero Correlation

Negative CorrelationsNegative Correlations

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Positive CorrelationsPositive Correlations

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

# Hand Washes

# D

iap

er C

han

ges

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Zero CorrelationZero Correlation

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

0 1 2 3 4 5 6

Pizza for Dinner

IQ S

co

re

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Negative CorrelationNegative Correlation

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

0 1 2 3 4 5 6

# Errors

Ho

urs

Pia

no

Pra

ctic

e

2020

Good practices in Experimental Good practices in Experimental ResearchResearch

Informed consentInformed consent

DebriefingDebriefing

ConfidentialityConfidentiality