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Methods of Psychology

Methods of Psychology . Chapter 2. Scientific Methods. How much, if any, pill taking brings about a cure based on the power of suggestion? Goal of the researcher is to be completely objective. Scientific Methods. 50% of pain is “cured” by the power of suggestion

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Methods of Psychology

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  1. Methods of Psychology Chapter 2

  2. Scientific Methods • How much, if any, pill taking brings about a cure based on the power of suggestion? • Goal of the researcher is to be completely objective

  3. Scientific Methods • 50% of pain is “cured” by the power of suggestion • One group is given real medicine while the other group is given a placebo • Comparing the two cure rates 50% got better because they believed the pill would bring relief

  4. Scientific Methods • Double Blind Study • It’s better if patients nor examiners know which group is which in an experiment

  5. A Study of the Effects of the Moon • Belief – the moon influences our behavior • Lunacy (insanity) comes from the word lunar which means “of the moon” • Researchers wanted to compare mental hospital admission rates for the days during the full moon phase with the rates for ten days before and ten days after the full moon

  6. A Study of the Effects of the Moon Hypothesis There is a relationship between the occurrence of the full moon and an increase in mental hospital admissions

  7. A Study of the Effects of the Moon Subjects – people or animals on whom research is conducted People being admitted to a mental hospital

  8. A Study of the Effects of the Moon Variables – Things that Change Phases of the moon and rate of mental hospital admissions

  9. A Study of the Effects of the Moon • Conclusion: • Time period after the full moon happened to include a weekend – hospital admissions drop over weekends • Ran the experiment again and found… • No clear connection exists between the moon and mental problems or criminal behavior except in horror movies

  10. Methods for Studying Behavior • Survey Method • Asking questions of a carefully selected group of people • Can be done by mail, in person, or over the phone • Samples – small group of people • Gallup Poll – include people from all various group in the US

  11. Methods of Studying Behavior • Naturalistic Observation • Researchers secretly observe the subjects of the study in daily activity • Gets a more realistic insight on behavior • Cafeteria Example

  12. Methods of Studying Behavior • Interviews • Biggest problem is sorting out fact from fiction • Interviewers must be on guard against his or her own biases in face to face situation • Abortion Interview Example

  13. Methods of Studying Behavior • Case Study Method • Develop information about a person’s long-term background for the purpose of psychological treatment • Case studies are often most used to get an overall sense of how a person approaches problems and what their feelings are • Problem – what is true for one case may not be true for others

  14. Methods of Studying Behavior • Psychological Tests • IQ Tests • Leaves no room for personal bias to influence interpretation of the results • Genius144 • Gifted130 • Above average115-129 • Higher average100 • Lower average 85 • Below average70 • Borderline low55 • Low<55

  15. Methods of Studying Behavior • Cross-Sectional Method • A cross section (representative sample) is taken from each major age group • Problems: Are people getting smarter or is there more information to learn in today’s time? • Longitudinal Method • Researchers follow the same group throughout several years and tests them frequently • People maintain approximately the same level of intelligence as they age

  16. Ethical Principles • Subjects must be able to decline participation in an experiment or withdraw at any time

  17. Ethical Principles • Openness and honesty are essential to experimentation • Cheating example • Can wait to tell people what is being measured till the end of the experiment

  18. Ethical Principles • Information obtained during a study must remain confidential • If an agreement has been made beforehand then information can be released

  19. Ethical Principles • Experimenter has the duty to asses the possibility of any potential risks, physical or mental. Must also inform the participant of these risks • If subjects participate in an experiment in which they were made to feel inferior then the subjects must be told right after the experiment

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