PSY 1001 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Normal Distribution, Dependent And Independent Variables
Document Summary
Examine individual differences: what differences are meaningful, how do the differences relate to one another, how do we characterize differences, why use measurement procedures (quantify observations on psychology variables) to study individual differences. Experiments: psychology"s ultimate tool: manipulate variable (cause) to determine the results (effect, done under controlled conditions, determine cause/effect relationships. Elements of a classic experiment: tests a hypothesis (e. g. , fear - affiliation, experimental group - expose to fear situation, control group - expose to more normal situation, random assignment - equate groups. Independent variable - the condition or event the experimenter varies - considered to be a cause (amount of fear: dependent variables - the result that is measured. Considered to be the effect (expressed need for affiliation) Personal experiments: you can use the experimental technique to answer personal questions. If you have some control over the situation. If you are willing to be systematic (use techniques and patience)
