Chapters 1&2: Introduction and Research and Methods

Dr. Arra PSY 201

2004 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 7E

Lecture Overview
Understanding Psychology Doing Research in Psychology Perspectives in Psychology

2004 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 7E

The Study of Psychology

Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes
Psychology values empirical evidence Psychology employs critical thinking Psychology employs systematic research methods

2004 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 7E

Pseudopsychologies
Pseudopsychologies are unreliable approaches that do not use the scientific method Examples of pseudopsychologies include:
Astrology: system that tries to relate personality to the movement of the stars Palmistry: idea that reading a persons character from the lines on their palms Psychokinesis: notion that humans can move objects through mental concentration Follicology: notion that personality characteristics are related to hair color
2004 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 7E

Goals of Psychology
Description of behavior using careful observations Explanation involves identifying the cause(s) of behavior Prediction allows for specification of the conditions under which a behavior will occur or not Psychological knowledge can be used to assist changes in behavior
2004 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 7E

Psychological Research
Two forms of psychological research:
Basic research seeks answers for theoretical questions
E.g. How is hunger controlled by the brain? Can be done in the lab bench research

Applied research seeks answers for specific application problems

E.g. Organizational psychology studies leadership, job satisfaction, job training, and development Often done in the field
2004 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 7E

Areas of Psychology
Clinical Educational School Industrial/organizational Developmental
Social Comparative Neuropsychology Health psychology Cognitive

2004 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 7E

Sample Specialties in Psychology

Biopsychology investigates the relationship between biology, behavior, and mental processes; looks at brain and nervous system Clinical Psychology specializes in the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of mental and behavioral disorders Counseling Psychology overlaps with clinical psychology; not in clinical setting; not as severe patient
2004 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 7E

Sample Specialties in Psychology

Developmental Psychology studies the course of human growth and development from conception until death School Psychology studies the process of education; works to promote the welfare of children in schools Industrial/Organizational Psychology applies the principles of psychology to the workplace
2004 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 7E

Psychology Degrees By Area

2004 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 7E

Doing Research In Psychology!!

The Scientific Method

2004 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 7E

Overview of the Scientific Method

2004 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 7E

The Experiment
An experiment involves a set of controlled conditions that aims to confirm a hypothesis Hypothesis refers to a statement of cause and effect:
Higher environmental temperatures lead to more aggression Exposure to marijuana increases appetite

2004 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 7E

Experimental Variables
To test a hypothesis, an experimenter defines the variables of the hypothesis: Cause: Independent variable (IV)
Marijuana: Plain cigarette versus cigarette containing 5 mg of THC (the active ingredient in marijuana)

Effect: Dependent variable (DV)

Appetite: Grams of ice cream consumed in 1 hour

The experimenter manipulates the IV and measures the DV to test the hypothesis

2004 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 7E

Research Issues
Experimental Group Control Group Experimenter Bias Double-Blind Study Placebo Random Assignment

2004 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 7E

Descriptive Research
Naturalistic observation refers to the systematic recording of behavior in a natural state or habitat
Jane Goodall observing apes in the wild

Surveys are instruments designed to sample attitudes or behaviors

Asking persons at a rally how they feel about animal rights issues

A case study is an in-depth study of a single person

Freud used the case study method to probe anxiety

2004 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 7E

Correlational Research
The correlation technique indicates the degree of association between 2 variables
Correlations vary in direction:
Positive association: Negative association: No relation:

2004 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 7E

Correlations
Correlations also vary in the strength of the association
Zero correlation: no relationship between the 2 variables Strong correlation: knowing the value of one variable permits one to accurately estimate the value of the other variable
Strong correlation can be positive or negative

Correlations can be seen in scatter plots

2004 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 7E

Correlation Difficulties

2004 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 7E

Biological Research
Dissections Lesions Case studies Electrical recording Electrical stimulation Split-brain surgery CT scan PET scan MRI scan fMRI scan

2004 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 7E

Ethical Issues in Research

Respecting the rights of human research participants involves:
Informed consent is an explanation of a study and the responsibilities of experimenter and participant Deception involving the subjects must be justified Confidentiality of study information must be maintained Debriefing refers to explaining the research process to the subjects at the end of the study

Animal research must be justified and must minimize discomfort to participants

2004 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 7E

Early Pioneers of Psychology

Experimental Psychology (1870s 1880s) Wilhelm Wundt founder of experimental psychology Established first psychology laboratory in Germany Interested in studying the thought processes

2004 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 7E

Early Pioneers in Psychology

Structuralism 1890s Edward Titchener, founder, one of Wundts followers Brought study to U.S. Studied thought processes, conscious mind
2004 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 7E

Early Pioneers in Psychology

Functionalism 1890s William James, James Dewey Investigated functions or purposes of behavior Continued to study the conscious mind
2004 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 7E

Modern Psychology Views

Psychoanalytic Sigmund Freud, Austrian Physician Late 1800s, early 1900s Study of the unconscious mind Study of dreams; unconscious material that is brought to surface by counselor

2004 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 7E

Modern Psychology Views

Behaviorism Early 1900s John Watson, B.F. Skinner Emphasize observable behaviors, overt behaviors Measure, scientifically study these behaviors

2004 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 7E

Modern Psychology Views

Gestalt Psychology Founded by Max Wertheimer Early 1900s Believed in the importance of mental activities Insisted that experience be studied as a whole
2004 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 7E