INSTITUTE OF PROFESSIONAL PSYCHOLOGY

BAHRIA UNIVERSITY – KARACHI CAMPUS

B.S. PSYCHOLOGY - THIRD SEMESTER

EXPERIMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY- I

Credit Hours: 03 Course Code:

Instructor: Sidra Shoaib

COURSE OBJECTIVES
1) To learn about the history of the field of Experimental Psychology, nature, scope and
theories.
2) To study major advancements in the understanding of human cognition through
experiments; specifically related to sensation, perception and attention.
3) To introduce the students to empirical research in Experimental Psychology and
discuss specific experiments crucial in this field.
COURSE OUTCOMES
1. By the end of the semester the student will be able to evaluate experiments and history
of experimentation.
2. The student will be able to construct or design an experiment based on the various
experimental designs, to be able to identify and analyze them.
3. The student will know the ethical principles and code of conduct in research in
experimental laboratories with humans and animals.
4. This course also focuses on the scope of experimental psychology.

WEEKS TOPICS

1. INTRODUCTION TO EXPERIMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY

 Definition, Nature & Scope

 Experiments & Psychological Experiments  Aims of
Experimental Psychology
 Difference between Applied & Basic Research
 Scientific Context of Experiment (brief definitions)
• Hypothesis
1st & 2nd
• Operational Definition
• Independent & Dependent Variables
• Experimental & Control Groups
• Experimental Design
EXPERIMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY-I B.S III SIDRA SHOAIB

2. ETHICS OF EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH

 Planning the research, Informed consent & Plagiarism

2nd & 3rd  Ethical principles in the conduct of research with human
participants (1990), APA
 Critical analysis of cases

WEEK TOPICS

3. TECHNIQUES OF EXPERIMENTAL DESIGNS

 Factorial Design
 Complex Factorial Designs
4th & 5th
 Quasi-Experimental Designs (ex post facto research)
 Functional Designs
 Small n Designs (AAA and ABA Designs)
Practice of each design by utilizing different experiments as examples

4. EXPERIMENTAL PARADIGMS

 Independent Subject Design

6  Randomized Group Design
t  Matched Subject Design
h  Repeated Measure Design
 Repeated Measure Design-Sequence Balanced
 Factorial Design
Practice of each paradigm by utilizing different experiments as examples

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EXPERIMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY-I B.S III SIDRA SHOAIB

5. HISTORY

 Philosophical Influence
Determinism, Reductionism, Empiricism, Positivism,
7th Materialism, Association, Mentalism
 Physiological Influence: Descartes, Gall
 Brain Physiology & Localization of Mind
 Experiments related to Thinking and

6. CLASSIC THEORIES

8th i. Sensation
Neural Impulse, Vision & Audition
ii. Perception
Two-Point Thresholds, Just Noticeable Differences
Mind & Body: A Quantitative Relationship
Absolute threshold, Differential threshold Methods of
Psychophysics
First Experimental Laboratory
Method of Introspection, Unconscious Experience
Systematic Experimental Introspection
Imageless Thought

WEEKS TOPICS

9th MID TERMS

Weeks Topics
Memory & Learning
10th & 11th Research on Memory and Learning
Meaningful & Nonsense Learning
Interference Theory of Forgetting

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EXPERIMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY-I B.S III SIDRA SHOAIB

7. OTHER INFLUENCES (on Experimental Psychology)

 Darwin, Watson, Pavlov

12th & 13th
 Gestalt Psychology (Necker Cube, Reversible Figure)
 Experimental Social Psychology (Asch, Sherif, Lewin,
Bartlett )

Hands learning and practice of the content

8. LEARNING

 Learning, retention and habits

 Measurement of learning
14th & 15th
 Method of learning
 Whole vs. Part Learning
 Saving and scoring method
 Conditions for permanent learning

WEEK 16 FINAL EXAMINATIONS

GRADING PLAN:

 Quizzes / Presentation 15%

 Assignment 20%
 Mid Term Exam 25%
 Final Exam 40%

 Total 100%

IMPORTANT NOTE:

 The student must submit their assignments and projects on time and take the quizzes on
the announced date.
 No assignment / quiz will be taken after the 13th week. (Except for the final project)

ATTENDANCE:

Maximum absences allowed are 20%.

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EXPERIMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY-I B.S III SIDRA SHOAIB

More than 20% will earn the student a failing grade leading to repetition of course in the next
semester.

COURSE BOOK:

Solso, R. L., & MacLin, M. K. (2002). Experimental Psychology: A Case Approach. USA:
Allyn & Bacon, Pearson Inc.

RECOMMENDED BOOKS:

Boring, E. (1929). A history of experimental psychology. India: Cosmo Publications, (2007).

Galoti, K. M. (1999). Cognitive Psychology in and out of laboratory (2nd ed.). California
Books / Cole Publishing Company.

Shergill, H. K. (2012). Experimental psychology. PHI Learning Pvt. Ltd..

Lawson, R. B., Graham, J. E. & Baker, K. M. (2007). A history of Psychology: globalization,

ideas and applications. India: Prentice hall of India, Pvt. Ltd.

Schultz, D. P., & Schultz, S. E. (2015). A history of modern psychology. Cengage Learning

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