Psychology: Day 5

Do Now

From your memory or readings from last night, list and describe the steps of the scientific method.

Turn in your case study to the In-Bin.

Objectives

• Identify and describe 5 types of research methods in psychology

• List the steps of the scientific method

• Differentiate between the independent and the dependent variable

• Explain the intent of a double blind experiment and a placebo

Methods of Research

Naturalistic Observation• Observe subjects in a natural setting without interfering• Natural behavior

Case Study• Intensive investigation of one or more participants• long-term observations, diaries, tests, interviews

Survey• Interviews, questionnaires, or both• asking many individuals a fixed set of questions

Longitudinal Study• Data is collected over a number of years• Development• time-consuming

Cross-sectional Study• Different age groups – same time – compare

Longitudinal vs. Cross-Sectional

“The real purpose of the scientific method is to make sure Nature hasn’t misled you into thinking you know something you don’t

actually know.”

Robert M. Pirsig, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, 1974

Independent Variable- the variable that is being manipulated or altered (the cause)

Dependent Variable- the variable that is being measured (the effect)

Variable Practice

Psychological Experiments

Scientific Method Practice

Double-Blind Experiment• Neither participants nor experiment knows which received medication• keeps researcher unbiased

Placebo effect• change in illness/physical state from knowledge and perception of treatment• believing it will have an effect • fake medication

1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1v9neHgknMU

Objectives

• Identify and describe 5 types of research methods in psychology

• List the steps of the scientific method

• Differentiate between the independent and the dependent variable

• Explain the intent of a double blind experiment and a placebo

Closing

- Article Homework: 3 due by Monday