Page 4

• Experiments are the method used by scientists to study causation–to find out what causes what.
• between-subjects design

  • a different group of subjects is tested under each condition
• within-subjects design

  • tests the same group of subjects under each condition.
• independent variable - the difference between the conditions.
• dependent variable - variable measured by the experimenter to assess the effect of the independent variable.
• When there is more than one difference that could affect the dependent variable, it is difficult to determine whether it was the independent variable confounded variable (the unintended difference) that led to the observed effects on the dependent variable.
• Coolidge effect - the fact that a copulating male who becomes incapable of continuing to copulate with one sex partner can often recommence copulating with a new sex partner.
• QUASIEXPERIMENTAL STUDIES is conducted because biopsychologists can't bring the experimental method to bear on all problems of interest to them.
• quasiexperimental studies are studies conducted in prohibitive situations of groups of subjects who have been exposed to the conditions of interest in the real world.
• case studies - studies that focus on a single subject, or very small number of subjects. - focus on providing a more in-depth picture than that provided by an experiment or a quasiexperimental study, and are an excellent source of testable hypotheses