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Psychology from Science to Practice

PSY 105 What it isand What It Offers

Overview
Definition of Psychology Origins of modern psychology Psychology and the scientific method Research methods in psychology.

Objectives
When you complete this lesson, you will be able to:

State the definition of Psychology Name and explain the three major themes in Psychology Name and explain the seven perspectives in Psychology Name and explain the four basic rules required when employing the scientific method Name and explain the five research methods in Psychology

Psychology
Psychology: the science of behavior and cognitive processes
Behavioral is any observable action or reaction Cognitive processes are all aspects of our mental lives

Major Themes
Stability versus change
How stable in personality over time?

Nature versus nurture


Is behavior innate or learned?

Rationality versus irrationality


How logical are our behavior and thoughts?

Key Perspectives
Behavioral: observable behavior Cognitive: thoughts, memory Biological: physiology, emotions Evolutionary: inherited tendencies Developmental: behavior over life span Psychodynamic: unconscious, personality Cultural or multicultural: social and cultural factors

Scientific Method
Scientific method: systematic gathering of data in objective manner Essential components of science
Accuracy - careful, precise Objectivity unbiased Skepticism testable, date can be replicated Open-mindedness ability to change views

Critical Thinking Skills


Critical Thinking
Examines all claims and assumptions Evaluates existing evidence Cautiously assess all conclusions

Guidelines
Never jump to conclusions Keep an open mind Ask how data gathered Be skeptical Be aware of persuasion Be aware emotions influence thinking

Research Methods Observation


Observation: systematic observation accompanied by careful, accurate measurement
Case studies details on few subjects Surveys questionnaires given to many subjects

Research Methods Correlation


Correlation: searching for a relationship between two variables Positive correlation
Two variables move in same direction

Negative correlation
Two variables move in opposite directions

Correlation does not equal causation

Research Methods Experimentation


Experimentation: researchers systematically alter one or more variables in order to determine whether such changes influence some aspect of behavior
Independent variable variable systematically changed Dependent variable variable that is measured

Random assignment of participants All factors except independent variable held constant
Confounding variables influence from extraneous variables

Summary
Psychologists think carefully and systematically about complex aspects of human behavior.
Nature versus nurture, stability versus change, and rationality versus irrationality influence the field of psychology. There is no one best method of research. The research methods available are observation, correlation and experimentation.

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