WHS AP Psychology Unit 1 Science of Psychology

WHS AP Psychology Unit 1: Science of Psychology Essential Task 1 -4: Differentiate types of Research with regard to purpose, strengths and weaknesses -Descriptive Research: Case Studies, Naturalistic Observation and Surveys -Correlational Research -Experimental Research

Approaches Growth of Psych to Psych Careers Ethics Research The Science of Psychology We are here Statistics Methods Sampling Descriptive Correlation Naturalistic Observation Case Study Survey Experiment Descriptive Central Tendency Variance Inferential

Essential Task 1 -4: Outline • Hypothesis vs. Theory • Types of Research – Descriptive • • • Purpose Strengths and Weaknesses 1. Case Studies 2. Surveys 3. Naturalistic Observation – Correlational • Purpose • Strengths and Weaknesses – Experimental • Purpose • Strengths and Weaknesses

Hypothesis is a testable prediction that lets us accept, reject or revise a theory. If families do not stress gender differences then there will be fewer sex differences in siblings.

Theory is an EXPLANATION based on evidence that PREDICTS behaviors or events. A Theory must: 1. Fit the known facts 2. Predict new discoveries 3. Be falsifiable 4. be simple. The simpler the better – Occam’s Razor

Start with observations • Observe and describe the world with descriptive research • Form a hypothesis from your observations • Test your hypothesis. • Re-test your hypothesis • Then test it gain. • If it holds up you have a theory

1. Observe the physiological reactions to fear 1. Pupils dilate 2. Flushing 3. Breathing increases 4. Heart beat increases 5. Sphincters release

1. Form Hypothesis from your observations If humans have a physiological reaction to a stimulus, they will experience an emotion. (James-Lange Theory of Emotion)

Descriptive Research • Purpose – To describe what is in reality • Strengths – Certain descriptive research methods can be quick – You can generalize (apply to more than just those from which you sampled) your findings with some descriptive research methods • Weaknesses – Can’t help you predict – Can’t give you cause and effect – Each descriptive research method has their own weaknesses as well

3 Types of Descriptive Research 1. Naturalistic Observation 2. Survey 3. Case Studies

Correlational Research • Purpose – to show relationship between two variables. • Strength – If you know how they are related you can predict outcomes. • Weakness – Correlation is not causation.

Experimental Research • Purpose – to establish cause and effect relationships between variables. • Strength – You find out if one variable (IV) causes a change in another variable (DV) • Weakness – Confounding variables, experimenter bias, etc.