PSYC 2000 Chapter : Ch 2- Research Methods
Document Summary
Confirmation bias = tendency to notice, seek out, and interpret information in a way consistent with you own prior beliefs. Introduction to the scientific method: scientific method= system for reducing bias and error in the measurement of data used in psychology to accomplish the goals and description, explanation, prediction, and control. Reporting results= control: naturalistic observations= watching animals or humans behave in their normal environment advantages= realistic picture of behavior. Observer effect= tendency of people or animals to behave differently from normal when they know they are being observed. Participant observation= a naturalist observation in which the observer become a participant in the group being observed ( to reduce the observer effect) Observer bias= tendency of the observer to see what they expect to see. Blind observers= people who do not know what the research question is (to reduce observer bias) Each naturalistic setting is unique, observation may not hold: laboratory observation= watching animals or human in a laboratory setting.
