AIM: What Are Some Essential Aspects of a SCIENTIFIC Study in Psychology? Why?

PMHS Name______AP PSYCH

AIM: What are some essential aspects of a SCIENTIFIC study in psychology? -- why?

Empirical questions – can be observed/tested in Non-empirical questions – may be subjective real-world or laboratory (based on opinion) and/or unobservable  Can people mind-read or use telepathy or  Do you believe in telepathy (mind- ESP – extra-sensory-perception if put to reading)? a test?  Are the Beatles the greatest rock band in  What percentage of the U.S. likes ice human history? cream?  What have various psychologists said  Do hours of sleep impact test about intelligence? performance?  What is the history of psychology?  Will new bins make students more likely  Is there life after death? to recycle?

    *To the empiricist, intuition is an invalid source of knowledge – we must TEST and INVESTIGATE!!

To test or measure an abstract concept, researchers OPERATIONALIZE IT! [so it can be empirically and quantifiably tested/measured] a. A specific list of behaviors OR objects manipulated [can be observed/experienced] b. Quantifiable – can be counted or measured either in inches/feet, time, rate, or number

ROAD RAGE

Do girls SMILE more than boys in Penn Manor yearbooks? Examples of studies – fill in blanks to operationalize 1. Researchers either a) assigned afterschool detention or b) assigned lunch detention to students in a high school. There were a greater number of missed detentions when it was scheduled afterschool. In other words, students were more likely to go to lunch detention and fulfill the obligation. Researchers claim lunch detentions are more effective (1998).

Independent variable or test: Does the type of detention….______or ______

Impact Dependent variable: Effectiveness or ______

2. In a survey sample of over 2,000 Americans, those who reported keeping a gun in their car were more likely to report making obscene or rude gestures at others. (2006).

Independent variable or test: Do weapons (i.e. ______)

Relate to Dependent variable: aggression or ______

3. Students in a calculus class were given either a) a lecture or b) problems to work on. There were more passing marks in the “problem-oriented” classes than there were in the lecture based ones. (1991). Independent variable or test: Does the type of lesson…( ______or ______)

Increase Dependent variable: Student participation or ______

4. College students watched a couple of “TED talk” videos. The students were either given a) a paper notebook or b) a laptop without internet connection. Both groups were asked to take notes. The “paper notebook” group did significantly better on a conceptual/thinking test 30 minutes after the lesson. (2014).

Independent variable or test: Does the type of note taking ( ______or ______)

Improve Dependent variable: Memory/Comprehension or ______

5. Clinically depressed patients were either asked to a) lift weights or b) run. After 4 sessions over an eight-week period, there was a similar reduction in depression for both groups. Subjects self- rated levels of depression using the Beck Depression Inventory or scale or survey. (1987).

Independent variable or test: Does the type of exercise ( ______or ______)

Reduce Dependent variable: Clinical Depression or ______Sample concepts to operationalize Students assigned a concept or two to pick from (depending on time) and present a list of behaviors that can be empirically observed and quantifiably tested. The class will guess the concept based on the details provided. Students try NOT to say main concept. Example: Aggressive driving: # of horn honks # of obscene gestures # of curses # of missed stop-signs or red lights Speed (miles per hour) exceeds limit

Provide groups with one of the following groups of choices.

Exercise Memory Self-esteem

Love Enthusiasm Sportsmanship

Aggressiveness Digital communication Bullying

Student participation/engagement Effective teaching Physical health

Healthy food Healthy communication Happiness

Cleanliness Punishments Student or parent discipline

Highly athletic male or female Racism Learning

Excellent wait-staff or food service Obedience or compliance Friendliness

Internet or cell-phone addiction Success in school Creativity

Type 2, John Collins Writing Name______

What is an operational definition? Give an example of a concept that researchers might operationalize. Explain how researchers might do this.

Type 2, John Collins Writing Name______

What is an operational definition?

Give an example of a concept that researchers might operationalize. Explain how researchers might do this.