Psychology 1000 Chapter Notes - Chapter 2: Internal Validity, Observer-Expectancy Effect, Scientific Method

• School: Western University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: Psychology 1000
• Professor: Michael Atkinson

Document Summary

Psychologists are interested in explaining the causes of behavior: use the scientific method. Scientific method: identify the problem & formulate a hypothesis, design and execute the experiment, variables and controls, determine the truth , communicate the results. Hypothesis: tentative statement about a relationship between 2 + events. Behavior theory: look at outcomes of stimulus (testable) Observational methodology: collecting information about behavior without trying to change it. All observational studies are correlational (no causal statements) Survey methods: collect information through survey or questionnaire. Case study: in-depth study of individual or group. Correlational methods: degree of relationship between two+ variables. Experimental method: manipulate one+ variables to determine the effect on some behavior. Mix them together to get the best results. Measuring violence after watching violent tv (between groups design) Counterbalance it: do it in reverse order, to stop effect of order. How to measure aggression in an ethically secure way. Internal validity: degree to which the experiment supports causal conclusion.