PSYCHOLOGY MIDTERM STUDY NOTES WEEK ONE Psychology: the study of behaviours, thoughts, experiences, and how they can be affected by physical, mental, social, environmental factors . Associated with constructs: o Behavior: violence, bullying, motor control o Thoughts: trust, attitudes, memory o Experiences: emotions, job satisfaction . Applied in many different areas: o Medicine (clinician) Education (Educator) o Business (Manager) o Law (witness) o Humanities (philosopher) o Engineering (designers) Philosophical roots of PSYC: 1. Structuralism: knowledge through reduction into elements (inspired by William Wundt, periodic table) 2. Functionalism: knowledge through understanding utility (Dawn Dreams, William James) 3. Rationalism: knowledge through reason/logic- general statements cannot be result of finite observations 4. Empiricism: knowledge through sensory observation. Behaviour is measurable, mind is not (Chomsky) The Scientific Method: a way of learning about the world through collecting observations, developing theories to explain them, and using theories to make predictions Pseudoscience: idea presented as a science but does not utilize basic principles of scientific thinking or procedures (i.e. astrology) Theory: explanation for a broad range of observations that generates a new hypothesis and integrates numerous findings into a coherent whole The Biopsychological Model: a means of explaining behaviour as productive biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors WEEK TWO fi Characteristics of Quality Research: . . Based on valid, reliable, and objective measurements · Can be generalized · Uses techniques that reduce bias · Made public · Can be replicated Objective Measurement: The way something is measured must be the same regardless who, where, and when it is tested Variable: the object, concept, or event being measured
Operational Definitions: statements that describe the procedures and specific measures that are used to record observations Validity: degree to which procedure/instrument actually measures what it claims to Reliable: provides consistent and stable before using answers across multiple observations and points in time Types: test-retest: examines if results are consistent across test sessions Alternate forms: examines whether different forms of the same test give the same result Inter-rater: different raters agree in measurements that were taken (clear operation definitions have a high inter-rater reliability) Generalizability: the degree to which one set of results can be applied to other situations, people, or events How do we increase the possibility that results will generalize? We test large groups of participants Ideally, we test and entire population, but this would take too long, so we study a sample Random sample: sampling technique in which everyone of the pop'n has an equal opportunity of being included Convenience Sample: samples of individuals who are readily available (high) Ecological Validity: results of lab study can be applied to or repeated in a natural environment Bias Researcher bias: when researchers introduce bias Subject bias: when participants introduce their own bias Hawthorne Effect: a behaviour change that occurs as a result of being observed Social Desirability: participants may respond in ways that increase the chance that will be viewed favourably by the experimenter and/or other participants · Relevant in interviews · Why researchers use computer for responses now- people