PSY 3213 L Laboratory Methods of Psychology Fall

PSY 3213 L: Laboratory Methods of Psychology Fall, 2005 M, W, F : Period 9 (4: 05 p. m. - 4: 55 p. m. ) INSTRUCTOR: CHERYL VAUGHAN, M. S.

– Class website: http: //plaza. ufl. edu/chvaugha • syllabus • grades • additional info – email: chvaugha@ufl. edu – Office: 311 H – Office hours: W 12: 45 -2: 45 or by appointment – Text: Cozby, P. C. (2004). Methods in Behavioral Research (8 th ed. ). New York: Mc. Graw-Hill

Ch. 1: Scientific Understanding of Behavior Uses of Research Methods • • Informing the public Informing researchers, business people Public policy decisions Conducting program assessments

Ch. 1: Scientific approach • Goals of science – Description of behavior – Prediction of behavior – Determining causes of behavior – Explanation of behavior • All of these goals overlap

Ch. 1: Types of Research • Basic research – Tries to answer fundamental questions about the nature of behavior – Addresses theoretical issues – Aimed toward understanding behavior • Applied research – Addresses issues with practical problems and potential solutions – Aimed toward understanding behavior AND solving problems

Type of research? • Psychosomatic and depressive symptoms in civilians, refugees, and soldiers: 1993 -2004 longitudinal study in croatia. Croat Med J. 2005 Apr; 46(2): 275 -81 Aim: To evaluate psychosomatic complaints and depressive symptoms among civilians, refugees, and soldiers in the war and post-war period in Croatia. Method. The design of the study was longitudinal, including four repeated assessments during the war and post-war period (1993, 1995, 2000, and 2004). It seems that for refugees and soldiers, prolonged stressful situation has long-term health implications primary related to the psychosomatic complaints.

Type of research? • The cumulative effects of acute alcohol consumption, individual differences and situational perceptions on sexual decision making. J Stud Alcohol. 2005 Jan; 66(1): 82 -90 • Past alcohol administration research has produced mixed findings regarding the role of acute alcohol consumption on sexual decision making. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a more complex theoretical model that places alcohol's acute effects in context, through the inclusion of background measures as well as affective and cognitive responses to the specific situation. Through the inclusion of measures of individual differences and responses to the specific situation, this study provides a more nuanced understanding of the factors that affect college students' sexual decision making, compared with laboratory studies that examine the effects of acute alcohol consumption in isolation.

Type of research? • When will a child be believed? The impact of the victim's age and juror's gender on children's credibility and verdict in a sexual-abuse case. Child Abuse Negl. 2001 Apr; 25(4): 523 -39 • OBJECTIVES: To provide insight into the central dimensions jurors may use when deciding a child victim's credibility and verdict. To inform lawyers on how to defend young children that may be victims. • METHOD: Participants (N = 573) read a simulated trial (robbery or a sexualassault case in which the defendant was either a stranger or an acquaintance) in which the alleged victim was either a 6 - or 13 -year-old girl. . The supporting evidence was held constant across cases. • RESULTS: The defendant was more likely to be found guilty in the sexualassault cases than in the robbery case. The child was perceived to be more credible, honest, and to have a better memory in the sexual-assault cases compared to the robbery case. Perceptions of memory and honesty predicted verdict and punishment. The child's age did not impact credibility or verdict. Finally, women, compared to men, perceived the child as more credible.