cours 2

• Research Designs Used by Social Psychologists

  • Observational Method
  • Correlational Approach
  • Experimental Method
• Theory


  Principle or body of interrelated constructs that purports to explain or predict a number of interrelated phenomena
• Construct


  An abstract concept
• Hypothesis

  Derives from theories, a statement that makes generalizations about a set of facts, usually forming a basis for possible experiments, is testable
• Operationalisation


  Turning abstract conceptual ideas into measurable observations
• Independent Variable (IV)


  Has at least two levels that we either manipulate or observe to determine its effects on the dependent variable
• Dependent Variable (DV)


  The outcome variable that we hypothesize to be related to, or caused by, changes in the independent variable
• Mediation


  • Total effect
  • Partial mediation
  • Full mediation
• Moderator


  • Changes the strength or direction of the impact of X on Y
• Moderated Mediator


  • Mediation may only apply under certain conditions of the moderator
• Moderator


  Changes the strength or direction of the relationship between IV and DV
• Mediator


  Explains the relationship between IV and DV
• Mediators in day to day life


  • Tennis serve -> Ball flight -> Score
  • Feeling hungry -> Eating -> Satiety
  • Extraversion -> More socialization -> More friends
  • Education -> Better salary -> Larger apartment
  • Brushing teeth -> Fresh breath -> Willingness to kiss
  • Attitude towards Justin Bieber -> Buying tickets -> Attending concert
  • Relevance of tech for profession -> Perceived usefulness -> Intent to use
  • Skills -> Performance -> Promotion
  • Insulting boss on Facebook -> Boss's anger -> Termination
• Moderators in day to day life


  • Vacation -> Temperature -> Satisfaction
  • Mode of transport -> Time -> Travel time
  • Alcohol consumption -> Social context -> Social acceptance
  • Performance -> Extent of reward -> Job satisfaction
  • Cocaine use -> Method of consumption -> Intensity of high
• Social psychological research has a focus on theory-oriented research
• Central impulses for social psychological research have also come from spectacular or unusual phenomena
• Research Designs in Social Psychology

  • Observation
  • Correlation
  • Experiment
• Research Designs Used by Social Psychologists

  • Observational Method
  • Correlational Approach
  • Experimental Method
• Theory


  Principle or body of interrelated constructs that purports to explain or predict a number of interrelated phenomena
• Construct


  An abstract concept
• Hypothesis


  Derives from theories, a statement that makes generalizations about a set of facts, usually forming a basis for possible experiments, is testable
• Operationalisation


  Turning abstract conceptual ideas into measurable observations
• Independent Variable (IV)


  Has at least two levels that we either manipulate or observe to determine its effects on the dependent variable
• Dependent Variable (DV)


  The outcome variable that we hypothesize to be related to, or caused by, changes in the independent variable
• Mediation


  The effect of an independent variable (X) on a dependent variable (Y) is partly or fully explained by an intervening variable (M)
• Moderator


  A variable that changes the strength or direction of the relationship between an independent variable (X) and a dependent variable (Y)
• Moderated Mediation


  The mediation effect depends on the level of a moderator variable
• Social psychological research has a focus on theory-oriented research
• Central impulses for social psychological research have also come from spectacular or unusual phenomena
• Research Designs in Social Psychology

  • Observation
  • Correlation
  • Experiment
• Observation Method


  • Participatory vs. passive
  • Open vs. covert
  • Systematic vs. unstructured
  • Reactive vs. non-reactive
• Observation Method


  • Festinger's "When Prophecy Fails" study
• Events before, while and after EOW (End of World)


  1. Before: group is very secluded, avoids interviews

  2. December 20, 1954: The group expects to be taken to a spaceship at midnight

  3. 12:05 am. December 21. No aliens. Group sits in stunned silence

  4. 4:45 am. Another message by automatic writing is sent

  5. Afternoon, December 21. Newspapers are called; interviews are sought
• Correlational Research Design


  • Investigates relationships between two variables without the researcher controlling or manipulating them
  • Coefficient (r) ranges from -1.00 to 1.00
• Correlation Coefficients


  • IQ and highest educational degree: .70
  • Gender and height: .67
  • Viagra and sexual functioning: .38
  • Sleeping pills and insomnia reduction: .30
  • Nicotine patch and abstinence outcome: .18
  • Aspirin and reduced risk heart attack: .02
• Correlation does not tell you about causality
• Experimental Research Design


  • Independent variable (IV) is manipulated to see the impact on the dependent variable (DV)
  • Subjects are randomly distributed to the conditions of the IV
  • Cover story, manipulation check, post-experimental explanation
• Laboratory Experiment


  • Conducted in a highly controlled environment
  • Extraneous variables are closely controlled, increasing internal validity
  • Artificial nature reduces external validity, participants may change behaviour due to demand characteristics
• Experiment


  The real experiment: Conducted in a highly controlled environment. The IV is manipulated to see the impact on the DV, whilst the effects of other variables are minimized as far as possible.
• Laboratory experiment


  • Extraneous variables are closely controlled, meaning the IV is likely to have affected the DV, increasing the internal validity of the study
  • Research can be easily repeated as there will be a controlled, standardised procedure, increasing the reliability of the results