Experimental Psychology: The Role of Experiments PDF

EXPERIMENTA L PSYCHOLOGY PSY 106  2 COURSE OBJECTIVES By the end of the course, students will be able to: 1. Understand the scientific method and its application in psychology. 2. Design and conduct experiments addressing psy...

EXPERIMENTA L PSYCHOLOGY PSY 106  2 COURSE OBJECTIVES By the end of the course, students will be able to: 1. Understand the scientific method and its application in psychology. 2. Design and conduct experiments addressing psychological phenomena. 3. Analyze and interpret experimental data using statistical methods. 4. Evaluate ethical considerations in psychological research. 5. Communicate research findings effectively through reports and presentations.  3 TRIVIA QUIZ 1. Who is considered the "father of experimental psychology"? a. Sigmund Freud b. Wilhelm Wundt c. B.F. Skinner d. John Watson  4 TRIVIA QUIZ 2. What is the independent variable in an experiment? a. The variable that is manipulated by the researcher b. The outcome measured in the experiment c. A variable that remains constant d. A variable that changes randomly  5 TRIVIA QUIZ 3. What is the main goal of the scientific method in psychology? a. To make assumptions about behavior b. To prove theories correct c. To test hypotheses and reduce bias d. To observe behavior without analysis  6 TRIVIA QUIZ 4. Which type of research method involves manipulating one variable to observe its effect on another? a. Case study b. Experimental method c. Correlational study d. Observational study  7 TRIVIA QUIZ 5. What does a control group do in an experiment? a. It receives the experimental treatment b. It serves as a baseline for comparison c. It is exposed to all variables equally d. It measures the dependent variable  8 TRIVIA QUIZ 6. What is a hypothesis? a. A proven scientific fact b. A guess with no evidence c. A testable prediction about the relationship between variables d. A theory that cannot be tested  9 TRIVIA QUIZ 7. What is a placebo effect? a. A side effect of an experimental treatment b. A response caused by an inactive substance or treatment c. A control variable in experiments d. A random occurrence during research  10 TRIVIA QUIZ 8. What statistical test is commonly used to compare the means of two groups? a. Correlation analysis b. ANOVA c. t-test d. Regression analysis  11 TRIVIA QUIZ 9. What is the purpose of randomization in an experiment? a. To ensure a large sample size b. To minimize bias and create equal groups c. To increase the chances of significant results d. To test multiple variables simultaneously  12 TRIVIA QUIZ 10. Which ethical principle ensures that participants are fully informed about the research before agreeing to take part? a. Confidentiality b. Debriefing c. Informed consent d. Voluntary participation  13 LET’S FIGURE OUT!  14 TRIVIA QUIZ 1. Who is considered the "father of experimental psychology"? a. Sigmund Freud b. Wilhelm Wundt c. B.F. Skinner d. John Watson  15 TRIVIA QUIZ 2. What is the independent variable in an experiment? a. The variable that is manipulated by the researcher b. The outcome measured in the experiment c. A variable that remains constant d. A variable that changes randomly  16 TRIVIA QUIZ 3. What is the main goal of the scientific method in psychology? a. To make assumptions about behavior b. To prove theories correct c. To test hypotheses and reduce bias d. To observe behavior without analysis  17 TRIVIA QUIZ 4. Which type of research method involves manipulating one variable to observe its effect on another? a. Case study b. Experimental method c. Correlational study d. Observational study  18 TRIVIA QUIZ 5. What does a control group do in an experiment? a. It receives the experimental treatment b. It serves as a baseline for comparison c. It is exposed to all variables equally d. It measures the dependent variable  19 TRIVIA QUIZ 6. What is a hypothesis? a. A proven scientific fact b. A guess with no evidence c. A testable prediction about the relationship between variables d. A theory that cannot be tested  20 TRIVIA QUIZ 7. What is a placebo effect? a. A side effect of an experimental treatment b. A response caused by an inactive substance or treatment c. A control variable in experiments d. A random occurrence during research  21 TRIVIA QUIZ 8. What statistical test is commonly used to compare the means of two groups? a. Correlation analysis b. ANOVA c. t-test d. Regression analysis  22 TRIVIA QUIZ 9. What is the purpose of randomization in an experiment? a. To ensure a large sample size b. To minimize bias and create equal groups c. To increase the chances of significant results d. To test multiple variables simultaneously  23 TRIVIA QUIZ 10. Which ethical principle ensures that participants are fully informed about the research before agreeing to take part? a. Confidentiality b. Debriefing c. Informed consent d. Voluntary participation TOPIC 1: INTRODUCTION TO EXPERIMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY AND THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD  25 SESSION OBJECTIVES JAN. 31, 2025 Define experimental psychology and the scientific method. Explain the importance of systematic observation and experimentation in psychology. Identify the steps of the scientific method.  26 What is Experimental Psychology? The study of behavior and mental processes through controlled experiments. Uses scientific principles to understand cause-and-effect  27 What is Experimental Psychology? A branch of psychology that uses scientific methods to study behavior and mental processes. Focuses on controlled experiments to establish cause-and-effect relationships.  28 Scope Experimental Psychology? Covers cognitive processes (perception, memory, thinking, problem-solving). Studies emotions, motivation, learning, and behavior. Applies to various fields like clinical psychology, education, and social psychology. GOALS OF EXPERIMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY: Describe: Observe and record behaviors (e.g., How do people react to stress?). Explain: Understand underlying causes (e.g., Why do people experience stress differently?). Predict: Anticipate behaviors based on prior knowledge (e.g., Who is more likely to experience stress in a given situation?). Control: Modify behavior through experimental interventions (e.g., How can stress be reduced through mindfulness?). THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD IN 30 PSYCHOLOGY STEPS: ❑ Observation – Identifying a phenomenon or problem. ❑ Forming a Hypothesis – Creating a testable prediction. ❑ Designing an Experiment ❑ – Choosing methods and variables. Data Collection and Analysis – Gathering and interpreting results. Conclusion and Reporting – Evaluating and sharing findings.  31 ACTIVITY: PSYCHOLOGICAL QUESTION "DOES LISTENING TO MUSIC HELP WITH STUDYING  32 Importance of Objectivity and Replication Why scientific inquiry in psychology needs systematic procedures. The role of replication in validating research findings. TOPIC 2: THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD IN PSYCHOLOGY  34 Why Scientific Inquiry in Psychology Needs Systematic Procedures  35 What is the Scientific Method? A systematic way of studying and understanding phenomena through observation, hypothesis formation, experimentation, and analysis.  36 Steps of the Scientific Method: Step 1: Observation (Identify a problem or question). Step 2: Formulating a hypothesis (Make a testable prediction). Step 3: Designing an experiment (Choose variables and methodology). Step 4: Data collection and analysis (Using statistical tools). Step 5: Conclusion and reporting findings (Communicating results).  37 Independent and Dependent Variables: Independent Variable (IV): The factor manipulated by the researcher. Dependent Variable (DV): The outcome measured in the experiment. Example: “Does caffeine improve memory performance?” IV: Caffeine intake DV: Memory test scores  38 Research Ethics in Psychology Objectives: Understand the ethical principles in psychological research. Discuss the importance of informed consent, confidentiality, and protection from harm.  39 WHY IS RESEARCH ETHICS IMPORTANT?  40 KEY ETHICAL PRINCIPLES: Informed Consent: Participants must be fully aware of the study’s nature. Confidentiality: Researchers must protect participant identity and data. Protection from Harm: No psychological or physical harm should come to participants. Debriefing: Explanation of the study’s purpose, especially if deception was used. Voluntary Participation: No coercion or pressure to participate. ASSIGNMENT: 41 DESIGN AN EXPERIMENT QUESTION: (EX. DO PEOPLE WORK FASTER UNDER PRESSURE?) THANK YOU Prepared by: ROWEL C. LUCENA, LPT, MAED  TOPIC 3: ALTERNATIVES TO EXPERIMENTATION – NON-EXPERIMENTAL DESIGNS SATURDAY CLASS 10:00 – 12:00PM  44 Objectives: Differentiate between experimental and non-experimental research. Identify different types of non-experimental research methods.  45 WHY USE NON-EXPERIME NTAL METHODS? TYPES OF NON-EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH: Observational Studies: Watching behavior in a natural setting. Case Studies: In-depth analysis of a single individual or group. Longitudinal Studies: Observing participants over a long period. Cross-Sectional Studies: Comparing different groups at one point in time.  47 PROS AND CONS OF NON-EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH: STRENGTHS: REALISTIC, ETHICAL, USEFUL FOR PRELIMINARY STUDIES. LIMITATIONS: NO CONTROL OVER VARIABLES, CANNOT ESTABLISH CAUSALITY.  48 Activity: Have students observe behaviors in a public setting (e.g., library, cafeteria) and take descriptive notes without interfering. Discuss findings.  49 TOPIC 4: HISTORICAL FOUNDATIONS OF EXPERIMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY  50 EARLY PSYCHOLOGICAL THOUGHT: Wilhelm Wundt (1879): Established the first psychology laboratory; used introspection. William James: Father of American psychology; focused on functionalism.  51 MAJOR THEORIES AND MILESTONES: Behaviorism (Watson, Skinner): Focused on observable behaviors. Cognitive Psychology (Piaget, Chomsky): Studied internal mental processes. Neuroscience and Modern Experimental Psychology: Brain-imaging and experimental techniques in research today. WEEK 1 WRAP-UP: 52 QUICK REVIEW GAME: DIVIDE THE CLASS INTO TEAMS AND HAVE A Q&A SESSION COVERING THE WEEK'S TOPICS. REFLECTION: ASK STUDENTS TO WRITE A SHORT PARAGRAPH ON HOW EXPERIMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY CAN BE APPLIED IN REAL LIFE.