Chapter 2 Research
Psychology is a
Social Science
• Hypotheses, observation,
testing, and experimentation
are used. SAME as science
• Exceptions to a
generalization do not
necessarily negate the
hypothesis. Human behavior
is complex. DIFFERENT
Research Terms
• Experiment: a specific type of scientific
study used to determine if one variable
has a casual effect upon another variable.
• Placebo: a medicine with no active
ingredients works by the power of
suggestion.
• Thesis: statement or question to study.
Looks at psychological principle
• Hypothesis: a statement of the results
that the experimenter expects. Prediction
Example
• Thesis question: Is yawning contagious?
• Hypothesis: If one person yawns in class,
then others will repeat this behavior
Variables: factors that change in
an experiment.
Independent Variable: the factor
the researcher changes or varies
in a study. (If)
Dependent Variable: the factor
that will change as a result of what
the other factor does. (Then)
• Independent Variable:
Yawn prompt
• Dependent Variable:
other’s behavior
(yawn or no yawn)
Experimental group: the group on
which the critical part (variable
introduced) of the experiment is
performed.
Control group: the group that does
not participate (no variable) in the
critical part of the experiment.
• Control
Group:
Classroom
with no
yawn
prompt
• Experimental
Group:
Classroom
with yawn
prompt
Methods of Research (p.41)
Laboratory study
Field study
Survey method
Naturalistic observation
Case study
Psychological test
Longitudinal
Cross-sectional
Interview
Experiment: Bi-lateral Transfer