Exam 1 Study Guide Lectures 1 7 Correlations 2 variables Can be either positive or negative 1 Positive As one variable goes up down the other variable does the same PSYC 360 1st Edition 2 Negative As one variable goes up down the other variable does the opposite Steps 1 Define problem 2 Measure 2 variables of interest 3 Assess the correlation between them One issue with self report Socially desirable responding Subjects tell you what they think you want to hear Correlation does not mean causation Ex Known Violent Video Games Aggretion 3 Logical Possibilites 1 VVG Aggn 2 Aggn VVG 3 Possibility of a third variable influencing both VVG Aggn One variable can affect another Variables can effect each other Experimental Studies Characteristic Manipulate X Control Group Random Assignment Isolate 2 variables Measure y Independent Variable Variable you manipulate Dependent Variable Variable you measure Control groups acts like a baseline Social CognitionHow do people think about and make sense of other people Making copies Langer et al 1978 excuse me I have 5 pages 60 of people said yes may I use the copy machine because I m in a rush 94 said yes may I use the copy machine because I have to make some copies 93 said yes The Paradox of Social Cognition People have amazing cognitive abilities People often fail to use those abilities Solving the Paradox Two types of thinking Controlled cognition Conscious Voluntary Effortful Limited capacity Automated cognition Unconscious Involuntary Effortless Unlimited capacity autopilot Automatic Processes Cognitive Shortcuts Quick Generally provide pretty good answers Attribution o Peoples explanations for people s behaviors Behavior Types of Attribution Internal Stable Unstable External Situational Something about the situation How do we make attributions The naive scientist approach Heider 1954 Collect all evidence Weigh all evidence Come to a conclusion What is the relevant information How does this person behave in other situations How do other people behave in this situation