Critical Thinking and Psychological Research in Psychology: Methods and Techniques - Prof., Study notes of Psychology

Download Critical Thinking and Psychological Research in Psychology: Methods and Techniques - Prof. and more Study notes Psychology in PDF only on Docsity! Psychology 2000 August 29, 2011awats Module 2: Critical thinking- ability to reflect on, evaluate, compare, analyze, critique, and synthesize information. Module 3: Psychological Research Scientific Research Theory- integrated set of principles that explains and predicts behavior. Hypothesis- A testable prediction implied by a theory. Operational Definition: A statement describing the exact method(s) used in research. Replication -repeat study to see if octain same results. Robust -same results time after time Naturalistic Observations Features: Observations of humans or animal behavior in their natural environment. Strengths: uncontaminated data Pitfalls: 1.) Reactivity/observer effect- change in behavior due to knowledge of being observed. 2.) Observer Bias- error due to personal motives and/or expectaions of the viewer. Case Studies Features: Intensive examination of a specific person or incident. Strengths: information on new or rare phenomenon Pitfalls: May not be representative. Surverys Features: Standard set of questions asked of a large number of participants. Strengths: large amounts of data quickly and inexpensively Pitfalls: poorly phrased, sampling errors, and response biases. Experiments Features: Manipulation of an independent variable and measurements of its effects on a dependent variable. Strengths: cause-effect relationship Pitfalls: confounding/extraneous/third variables Experiments Appropriate Comparisons 1.) Population- all people included in our operational definiton. 2.) Sample- a subset of the population. 3.) Random Sample- everyone in the population has an equal chance of being selected. 4.) Random Assignment- used to even out confounding variables relate to individual differences LOOK AT GRAPH ON SLIDE 28 Experimental Group: the group receiving the IV or treatment Control Group: the comparison group who does not recieve the IV or treatment The Challenge of Objectivity Con't 1.) Expectancy Effect/Researcher Bias- Unintentional hints by the researcher of what is expected from the participant. 2.) youtube video 3.)Placebo Effect- change in behavior due to the belief that the treatment is effective. Remedy to Expectancy and Placebo Effects Control Procedures- hold constant all variables other than the IV Single-Blind- participants are not aware which group they are in. 1.) Double-Blind Control- neither assistant nor participant know which is experimental group. 2.) Placebo Control- an experimental condition in which the treatment is not administered. Correlational Studies Features: Examine the relationships between research varibales. Motor System- groups of neurons that Exit CNS and muscles and organs response to in the environment (efferent neurons) Neuroplasticity- capacity of the brain to change in response to experience forming new and pruning used synapses. Two divisions of the nervous system Central Nervous System (CNS)- made up of the brain and spinal cord. Peripheral System (PNS)- made up of the sensory and motor systems The PNS: Somatic Nervous System- messages from senses to CNS and sends movement instructions to muscles Autonomic Nervous System- messages back and forth “automatically” between CNS and organs and glands. Autonomic Nervous System : Sympathetic system- prepares the body for action through the “flight-or-fight” syndrome. System- the body’s energy-conserving functions. Major Structures of The Brain con’t Forebrain- most advance; complex behavior and mental activities Cerebral Cortex- wrinkled outer layer of the brain (gray matter=somas) Forebrain Con’t Corticalization-an increase in the relative size of the cerebral cortex (intelligence) Thalamus- relay system to cortex for sensory information Hypothalamus- regulates basic drives; hunger, thirst, temperature. Limbic System- amygdala and hippocampus Corpus Callosum- connective tissue between the right and left hemisphere Major Structures of the Brain con’t Hindbrain- most primitive; basic life functions Cerebellum-balance and fine motor skills Reticular Formation-attention, arousal, movement, reflexes Medulla- respiration, heart rate, swallowing, and digestion Lobes of the Cerebral Cortex Frontal lobes- movement, sense of self and higher order mental functioning Prefrontal Cortex- sense of self, reasoning, and planning Primary Motor Cortex- rear of frontal lobe controls movement. Broca’s Area- speech production Aphasia- speech disturbance due to brain damage Lobes of the Cerebral Cortex Con’t Parietal Lobes- bodily sensations Primary Somatosensory Cortex- receiving area for bodily sensations like touch, temperature, pressure, pain, and other somatic sensations. Temporal Lobes- auditory information Wernicke’s Area- speech comprehension Occipital Lobes- visual information Primary Visual Cortex- part of occipital lobe where vision first registers Visual Agnosia- inability to identify seen objects Facial Agnosia- inability to recognize familiar faces Brain’s Left and Right Hemispheres (Lateralization; Convoluted) -each hemisphere is responsible for certain things. Left-logic, language, etc. Right- spatial ability and creativity, etc. Hemispheric Specialization Right and left halves of cortex Connected by corpus callosum Contra-lateral- right side controls left side of body and left side controls right side of body Neurotransmitters Acetycholine-memory; Alzheimer’s disease Norepinephrine- learning Serotonin- mood; depression Dopamine- reward; schizophrenia Other Classes of Neurotransmitters Peptides Endorphin- Modulation of pain; No established disorder.