INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY

Table of Contents
1. Definition

2. Origins
3. Significance 4. Research Methods

Definition
The scientific study of human behavior OR The science of human nature
RESEARCH VS. APPLIED PSYCHOLOGY

Divisions of Psychology

Clinical Educational Exercise and Sports Consumer Rehabilitation Behavioral Neuroscience and Comparative

Origins

Marriage of Biology and Philosophy created a new babyPSYCHOLOGY

Wilhelm Wundt (1832-1920)

Father of Psychology

German professor 1st laboratory (1879) Introspection

William James (1842-1910) Father of American Psychology

American professor 1st American laboratory @ Harvard (1879)

Significance
The purpose of psychology is to give us a completely different idea of the things we know best. Paul Valry

Research Methods
1. 2.

3.
4. 5.

6.
7.

Experimental Procedure Survey Method Naturalistic Observation Interview Case Study Method Psychological Test Cross-Sectional & Longitudinal Methods

The field of psychology today is literally a mess. There are as many techniques, methods, and theories around as there are researchers and therapists. Roger Mills

Experimental Procedure

Create a hypothesis (If,then,) Select subjects a. Experimental group b. Control group Test hypothesis a. Independent variable b. Dependent variable Compare results

The folks at Gatorade, famous for their popular sports drink, are trying to target more high school students to buy their products. In an effort to do this, theyve created a brand new drink called Brainade that is supposed to boost academic performance. Scientists in the Gatorade lab would like to research the effectiveness of this new academic drink. With your partner, create an experimental procedure to test out this new product.

Experimental Procedure

Double-blind study Placebo Field Disadvantages? Uncontrollable factors may affect/skew results

Survey Method

Asking questions Sample group Disadvantages? Wording may be misleading Incomplete surveys

Naturalistic Observation

Secretly observe subjects Disadvantage? No contact w/ the subject

Interviews

Provides personal, detailed info. Disadvantages? Interviewee may be putting on a show

Case Study Method

Gathering info. on an individuals long-term background Disadvantages? Like the interviews, the subjects may not be telling the truth

Psychological Tests

Objective tests Disadvantages? Dont get the info. from interviews and case studies

Cross-Sectional & Longitudinal Studies

Psychologists want to know if intelligence declines w/ age... How would you conduct this study?

Cross-Sectional & Longitudinal Studies

Cross-Sectional: Looks @ diff. age groups simultaneously Longitudinal: Studies same group of people over a long period of time Disadvantages? Cross-Sectional: Not always accurate Longitudinal: Time consuming & expensive

Homework: Due Wednesday 9/8

Create original examples that correspond with the 8 research methods we discussed in class today. You may not use the examples in your textbook.