TOPIC 3

• Scientific Method

  - is a systematic method for

  gathering knowledge about the world around us

  ​
• Systematic


  - meaning there is a set way to use it
• Observation


  - To know about the world around us,

  we have to be able to see it firsthand. When a

  mental disorder afflicts an individual, we can see it

  through their overt behavior.

  ​
• Experimentation


  - To be able to make causal or

  cause and effect statements, we must isolate

  variables. We must manipulate one variable and see

  the effect of doing so on another variable.
• Measurement


  - we can measure the person's

  bipolar disorder symptoms before any treatment

  was implemented, and then again once the treatment

  has run its course. This pre-post test design is

  typical in drug studies.

  ​
• Naturalistic Observation

  - the scientist studies

  human or animal behavior in its natural

  environment, which could include the home, school,

  or a forest
• Laboratory Observation


  - involves observing

  people or animals in a laboratory setting.
• case studies


  Psychology can also utilize a detailed

  description of one person or a small group

  based on careful observation.

  -

  This was the approach the founder of

  psychoanalysis, Sigmund Freud, took to

  develop his theories.

  -

  The advantage of this method is that you

  arrive at a detailed description of the

  investigated behavior, but the disadvantage

  is that the findings may be unrepresentative

  of the larger population, and thus, lacking

  generalizability.
• Surveys/Self-Report data


  -

  This is a questionnaire consisting of at least

  one scale with some questions used to assess

  a psychological construct of interest such as

  parenting style, depression, locus of control,

  or sensation-seeking behavior.

  -

  It may be administered by paper and pencil

  or computer
• Social Desirability


  - when a participant answers

  questions dishonestly so that they are seen in a more

  favorable light
• Correlational Research


  - This research method

  examines the relationship between two variables or

  two groups of variables.
• Correlation Coefficient


  - A numerical measure of

  the strength of this relationship is derived
• Epidemiological Study


  - in which the prevalence

  and incidence of a disorder in a specific population

  are measured

  ​
• Experiments


  - This is a controlled test of a

  hypothesis in which a researcher manipulates one

  variable and measures its effect on another variable.

  ​
• Independent Variable - the manipulated variable

  Dependent Variable - one that is measured
• control group


  does not receive the treatment or is not

  manipulated

  -

  allows the researcher (or teacher) to make a

  comparison to the experimental group and

  make a causal statement possible, and

  stronger
• Experimental Group


  - does receive the treatment

  or manipulation
• Placebo


  - or a sugar pill made to look exactly like

  the pill given to the experimental group
• Random Assignment


  - participants have an equal

  chance of being placed in the control or

  experimental group

  ​
• Replication


  - is when we repeat the study to

  confirm its results.
• Biological Approach


  believes behavior to be as a consequence of

  our genetics and physiology

  -

  It is the only approach in psychology that

  examines thoughts, feelings, and behaviors

  from a biological and thus physical point of

  view.
• Comparative Method


  : different species of animal

  can be studied and compared. This can help in the

  search to understand human behavior
• Physiology


  : how the nervous system and hormones

  work, how the brain functions, how changes in

  structure and/or function can affect behavior
• Investigation of inheritance


  : what an animal

  inherits from its parents, mechanisms of inheritance

  (genetics).
• the id - unconscious source of primitive sexual,

  dependency, and aggressive impulses;

  the superego - subconsciously interjects societal

  mores, setting standards to live by;

  the ego - represents a sense of self and mediates

  between realities of the moment and psychic needs

  and conflicts.
• Behavioral Perspective


  This approach centers around learned

  behaviors rather than internal processes like

  cognition.

  -

  Behavioral psychologists explore

  psychology through observable behaviors

  and actions.

  -

  In this perspective, psychologists treat all

  behavior as learned or acquired.
• Cognitive Perspective


  operates on the belief that the brain is the

  most important aspect in relation to the way

  that an individual behaves or thinks.

  -

  This perspective states that to understand

  someone, you must first be able to

  understand what is happening in their mind.

  Once you are able to do this, you will be

  able to understand how they will act in other

  situations as well.
• Humanistic Perspective


  - emphasizes free will,

  self-actualization and self-efficacy