The Science of PsychologyModule ObjectivesLet’s Start with Some Critical ThinkingA man is found hanging in an otherwise empty locked room with a puddle of water under his feet.Did you get it?Try this one…What DO you think?Slide 8Slide 9Psychology as a ScienceSystematic observation is setting up our study so that we eliminate or reduce bias.“We must keep our minds open but not so open that our brain falls out.”Why can’t scientists base their research off of casual, everyday observations? (People watching)Slide 14Everyday ObservationsHow Did You Do?What we casually observe without a systematic plan can often be inaccurate.Unfortunately, casual observation is subject to bias that can distort informationWhy is Research Conducted?In science, research strategies are categorized as either basic or applied.How Do Scientists Collect and Evaluate Evidence?Psychologists follow strict, standardized scientific procedures so that others can understand, interpret and repeat their findingsScience is derived from the Latin word meaning knowledge.Psychologists follow strict, standardized scientific procedures so that others can understand, interpret and repeat/test their findingsHow is research conducted?The scientific method is a tool box of skills that scientists have developed to prevent themselves from confirming their own biasesThe Scientific MethodSlide 28Scientific Method in PsychologyMake a Prediction!Students often discuss wonderful questions they would like to research, but what’s crucial in this research process is that the question be testable.Let’s practice What is a testable hypothesis for this nursery rhyme?What is your Hypothesis?Or…Perhaps…this explains the fall…The hypothesis must be testable, but also operationally definedOperational definitions allow Psychologist’s to study intangible concepts by making them more concrete, countable, and observable.Examples of Operational DefinitionsTry this on your own… Operationally define the followingNext… Research MethodsThe Science of PsychologyChapter 1Introduction and Research MethodsModule ObjectivesWhy is Psychology a Science?What is the scientific method?How do researchers design a study?Why should I believe what researchers say?Let’s Start with Some Critical ThinkingPsychology requires the ability to think critically about different problems. Consider the following scenarios and use your critical thinking skills!A man is found hanging in an otherwise empty locked room with a puddle of water under his feet. How did he do it?Did you get it?He stood on a block of ice until it melted, which explains the puddle under his feet!Try this one…A policeman was walking past a house. He heard someone cry, "Don't shoot me, John! Don't shoot!" There was one gunshot. The policeman entered the house and saw a lawyer, priest, and an engineer, gathered around a dead body. The priest was immediately arrested. ‐How did the policeman know?What DO you think?The police officer knows that the Priest is John because the lawyer and the engineer were both WOMEN!The Science of PsychologyWhen Psychologists perform research they begin by asking questionsThe Science of PsychologyPsychology is based on two premises of science:1. EmpiricismAcquiring information through careful observation2. Theory development:Collecting interrelated ideas and observationsPsychology as a SciencePsychologists must engage in careful observation when studying behavior and mental processesWhat does that mean?‐They must put aside personal feelings or biases‐They must gather information systematically‐They must be able to replicate their resultsSystematic observation is setting up our study so that we eliminate or reduce bias.“We must keep our minds open but not so open that our brain falls out.”(Oberg, 1995)Why can’t scientists base their research off of casual, everyday observations?(People watching)Skepticism combines two opposing attitudes:‐an openness to new ideas combined with a willingness to subject these claims to scrutiny.Everyday ObservationsWhat appears on the back of a $1 bill?What is the shape of a stop sign?What way does Lincoln face on the penny?In which hand does the Statue of Liberty hold her torch?How many tines are there on a regular dinner fork?What shape is the Garden State Parkway sign?How Did You Do?1. On the back of a dollar bill you will find 2 circles which make up the Great Seal of the US:‐left circle is the pyramid with the eye and the right circle is the bald eagle2. A stop sign is an octagon (8-sides)3. Lincoln faces to the right on the penny4. Lady Liberty holds the torch in her right hand5. There are four tines on a dinner fork6. The GSP sign is a circleWhat we casually observe without a systematic plan can often be inaccurate.Answer the following questions to illustrate this point…don’t cheat Unfortunately, casual observation is subject to bias that can distort informationWe notice behavior that fits our stereotypesWhy is Research Conducted?The purpose of scientific research is to create new knowledge and increase our understanding of human behavior.‐This knowledge is applied in all areas of society to provide solutions.In science, research strategies are categorized as either basic or applied.Basic research is designed to advance general understandingApplied research is designed to solve practical problemsHow Do Scientists Collect and Evaluate Evidence?Psychologists follow strict, standardized scientific procedures so that others can understand, interpret and repeat their findingsScience is derived from the Latin word meaning knowledge.We gain scientific knowledge by testing hypotheses. Research designed to test hypotheses goes through a series of steps…Psychologists follow strict, standardized scientific procedures so that others can understand, interpret and repeat/test their findingsThis process involves several specific steps to ensure the results are validHow is research conducted?The Scientific Method allows psychologists to explore psychological issues systematically by using objective meansThink on your own…What does it mean to be OBJECTIVE?The scientific method is a tool box of skills that scientists have developed to prevent themselves from confirming their own biasesThe Scientific Method1. Formulate a research question by stating a question and performing a literature review2. Develop a operationally defined and testable hypothesis3. Research Design is selected to test the