What Is Psychology?

Psychology is the science of mental
processes and behavior.
◦ What is science?
◦ What are mental processes?
◦ What is behavior?
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Copyright © 2008 Allyn & Bacon
Mental Health Providers

Psychiatrist
◦ M.D. - Physician
◦ Prescribes drugs
◦ Not trained for psychological tests

Clinical/Counseling Psychologist
◦ Master’s, Ph.D., or Psy.D.
◦ Therapy, research, teaching

Social worker
◦ MSW; licensed
◦ Helps families and individuals with psychotherapy
◦ Helps clients use the social service system in their communities
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Ch. 1 Edited by Dr. Margaret
Launius - Allyn & Bacon
Copyright 2002
2
Levels of Analysis
The brain
The person
The group
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Copyright © 2008 Allyn & Bacon
The Scientific Method

What are the components of the scientific
method?
◦ Specify a problem
◦ Systematic observation
 Data
 Replication
◦ Form a hypothesis
◦ Test the hypothesis
 Operational definition
◦ Formulate a theory
◦ Test the theory
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Descriptive Research

Naturalistic observation
◦ Allows one to see patterns in the real world

Case studies
◦ Focus on a single interesting case in detail

Surveys
◦ A set of questions put to a number of
participants about their beliefs, attitudes,
preferences, or activities
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Copyright © 2008 Allyn & Bacon
Correlational Research
Studies where the relationships between
two or more variables are measured but
not manipulated

Examples:
◦ Family income and IQ score
◦ Height and shoe size
◦ MAO levels and thrill seeking
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Correlation

Strength and direction
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Designing Experiments: Independent
Variable
The aspect of a situation that is intentionally
varied while another aspect is measured

Examples:
◦ Amount of practice allowed
◦ Participants randomly assigned so that they receive a
drug or placebo
◦ Visual or auditory stimuli present
◦ Temperature of room
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Designing Experiments: Dependent
Variable
The aspect of a situation that is measured
while the independent variable is changed

Examples:
◦
◦
◦
◦
Number of words recalled
Speed of response
Number of cigarettes smoked
Electrical activity in the brain
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Designing Experiments: Effects
The difference in the dependent variable
that is due to changes in the independent
variable

Examples:
◦ Drug X impairs short-term memory.
◦ Visualization improves athletic performance.
◦ Practice improves reading speed.
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Experiments
Experimental group
 Control group
 Random assignment
 Strength

◦ Rigorous control, causal inferences

Weakness
◦ Not all variables can be manipulated
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Quasi-Experiments
Like experiments, but without random
assignment
 Strength

◦ Real-world phenomena that cannot be
studied in experiments

Weakness
◦ Lack of control means limited causal
inferences
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Being a Critical Consumer
Reliability
 Validity

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◦
◦
◦
Face validity
Content validity
Criterion validity
Construct validity
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Bias and Expectation
Response bias
 Sampling bias
 Experimenter expectancy effects

◦ Double-blind design
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Pseudopsychology
Unsupported opinion pretending to be
psychological science
 What makes a discipline a science?

◦ Is it the topic of study?
◦ Is it the method of study?

Examples
◦ ESP
◦ Astrology
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Ethics in Research
Institutional Review Board (IRB)
 Research with people

◦ Informed consent
◦ Avoid deception unless necessary
◦ Debriefing

Research with animals
◦ Avoid mistreatment
◦ Proper housing
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