Class 2 - Science of Psychology Notes PDF

Class 2 – Science of psychology Today’s plan: ‐ Confirmation bias ‐ Scientific method 6 Sep. 2024 Name pronunciation Strawberry Fields Forever by The Beatles What is this voice saying? I BURIED PAUL.  In 1969, a story went around that Paul McCartney was dead. He died in...

Class 2 – Science of psychology Today’s plan: ‐ Confirmation bias ‐ Scientific method 6 Sep. 2024 Name pronunciation Strawberry Fields Forever by The Beatles What is this voice saying? I BURIED PAUL.  In 1969, a story went around that Paul McCartney was dead. He died in a car crash in 1966. The Beatles had been leaking the truth by planting clues. The ‘evidence’ The ‘evidence’ Revolution 9 (from White Album) by The Beatles Forward: Backward: When we know what to look for we find tons of ‘evidence’ Why did so many people believe this wacky rumor? Confirmation bias!  Seeking proof for what we already believe Major flaw in cognition. Contributing context: --Beatles were breaking up [hard truth for fans] --environment of distrust [Vietnam War, Watergate looming] Contradictory evidence is ignored. Key concept t Other examples of confirmation bias Student learning algebra thinks a C+ on a quiz proves they can’t do math - what happens if the student gets an A- on the next quiz?  Teacher sees student’s C average in previous math classes and thinks student has poor math skills  The other store line is always faster Confirmation bias leads to illusory correlations. Relationships that don’t exist. Confirmation bias leads to illusory correlations. Relationships that don’t exist. 0 RRQVWDWXV )XOO 1 RWIXOO %XV\ + RVSLWDO VWDWXV 1 RWEXV\  Darley & Gross (1983): “Hannah Study” Participants watched a video about Hannah High socioeconomic status Low socioeconomic status Then they saw Hannah take an IQ-type test aloud Measured observer’s assessment of Hannah’s grade level What is the independent variable?  Darley & Gross (1983): “Hannah Study” Socioeconomic status High Low Math ability (grade level) 4.10 3.04 This study yielded empirical evidence for confirmation bias. Key concept t  So we need to rely on empirical evidence. Not just our gut. How do we as psychologists obtain it?  What is scientific research? Not just Googling something!  systematic investigation to form conclusions Scientific method overview  Scientific method example: human courtship 1. Observe  Go to a bar and watch how people flirt and pair up. It seems tall people attract more interest. 2. Form a question  Does your height improve your chances of finding a partner? 3. Develop a hypothesis The taller a person is, the more individuals will be romantically interested. Alternative hypothesis (HA) The taller a person is has no effect on romantic interest attracted. Null hypothesis (H0)  Scientific method example: human courtship 3. Develop a hypothesis The taller a person is, the more individuals will be romantically interested. Alternative hypothesis (HA) The taller a person is has no effect on romantic interest attracted. Null hypothesis (H0)  Scientific method example: human courtship 3. Develop a hypothesis The taller a person is, the more individuals will be romantically interested. Alternative hypothesis (HA) The taller a person is has no effect on romantic interest attracted. Null hypothesis (H0) INDEPENDENT VARIABLE DEPENDENT VARIABLE  Scientific method example: human courtship 3. Develop a hypothesis The taller a person is, the more individuals will be romantically interested. Alternative hypothesis (HA) The taller a person is has no effect on romantic interest attracted. Null hypothesis (H0) Need to operationalize these variables! measure height in meters count up unique individuals with which physical contact is made  Scientific method example: human courtship 3. Develop a hypothesis The taller a person is, the more individuals will be romantically interested. Alternative hypothesis (HA) The taller a person is has no effect on romantic interest attracted. Null hypothesis (H0) We write hypotheses that are testable and falsifiable. Guidelines: a.A statement, not a question (can develop from a question). b.Can be tested using collected data c.Can be proven false (falsifiable).  Scientific method example: COVID 3. Develop a hypothesis - PRACTICE! Write a TESTABLE and FALSIFIABLE HYPOTHESIS to address this question: How can the spread of COVID-19 be prevented? Take 2  Scientific method example: human courtship 1. Observe  Go to a bar and watch how people flirt and pair up. It seems tall men attract more interest. 2. Form a question  Does your height improve your chances of finding a partner? 3. Develop a hypothesis The taller a person is, the more individuals will be romantically interested. 4. Run an experiment! Different options we will learn about in Monday’s video & class. Field experiment  record heights and # of people who show signs of flirting 5. Analyze your data Different options we will learn about in Wednesday’s video & class. We find a positive correlation between height and # of flirting partners. 6. Form a conclusion (with careful wording). The evidence suggests that the taller a person is, the more people will flirt with them. Syllabus questions? Moodle Interactive Videos Moodle Interactive Videos  For Monday Textbook  2.Intro; 2.1 Interactive Video Quiz 1 – DUE MONDAY BY 10AM!!