PSYCH213: EXPERIMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY

Introduction To Experimentation
Prof. Emmanuel Arganda Santiago

EXPERIMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY Involves acquiring knowledge through

It deal with the investigation and experimentation observation and experiences.
of human behavior through the use of precise
SCIENTIFIC METHODOLOGY
measurement and other special instrument.
SCIENCE
EXAMPLES OF EXPERIMENTS IN PSYCHOLOGY The systematic gathering of data to provide
Asch Conformity Study (Dr. Solomon Asch) descriptions of events taking place under specific
Group of participants where shown picture of conditions, enabling the researcher to explain,
lines then asked a simple question "which line is predict, and control events.
the longest" Two Connotations in Science
Influence, social interaction that affects our 1. Content – what we know; learned
decision 2. Process - how to gather, collect, observe
Bobo Doll Experiment (Dr. Albert Bandura) METHODOLOGY
Child development Scientific technique used to collect and evaluate
Social imitation rather than genetics psychological data
Nature vs nurture
SCIENTIFIC METHOD
Little Albert Experiment
It is a process of a systematically collecting and
(John B. Watson and Rosalie Rayner)
evaluating evidence to test ideas and answer
Considered as unethical psychological
questions
experiment because of the uses of human being
such as babies Aside from science, where do we get knowledge
There are things that are shown and heard to from?
the baby 1. Philosophy
Fear is implemented (trauma) Love of wisdom.
Classical conditioning , Ivan Pavlov dog Activity when people seek to understand
experiment fundamental truths.
FOUR METHODS OF KNOWING Knowing the truth about something.
1. Intuition Purpose in life.
Gut feeling, commonly found on women 2. Folk Wisdom
2. Authority Wisdom that is associated with our tradition or
"Authority Figure" involves accepting new customs.
ideas, we tend to look at people with authority 3. Common Sense
like elders that they are always right or know Logical thinking
better. But still we aren't always obliged to COMMONSENSE PSYCHOLOGY
agree with them it is ok to go on the "different It is a kind of everyday, non-scientific data
way around". gathering that shapes our expectations and beliefs
3. Rationalism and directs our behavior toward others.
Involves logic and reasoning to acquire new
knowledge. You have specific knowledge about THE NEED OF SCIENTIFIC METHOD
things, and when there is a conflict with what 1. Contradicting at times
you know, you do not agree, rationalism comes "Biases"
into play. One observation is done, other aspects are not
4. Empiricism considered.
PSYCH213: EXPERIMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY
Introduction To Experimentation
Prof. Emmanuel Arganda Santiago
"One is enough". Contradicting opinions and
assumptions between two people.
Confusion
2. Gathered from small samples of behavior
You need to get the sample size of the total
number of population. You don't need to take
the entire population you just need to find the
sample size.
3. Might be biased
Without going through the scientific method.
Purely based on opinion, observation and
assumption of the researchers
4. Generally unreliable
Not enough evidences
THE NEED OF SCIENTIFIC METHOD
1. Seemingly credible and trustworthy sources
2. People we like, respect, admire
3. Our own observations and interactions with
others
4. Upon believing something, we tend to notice our
belief more than those disconfirm it
NON-SCIENTIFIC INFERENCES
1. Traits, traits, traits
2. Stereotyping
3. Poor calculations of the probability
4. Overconfidence bias
THE CHARACTERISTICS OF MODERN SCIENCE
1. The scientific mentality
Behavior must follow a natural order,
therefore, it can be predicted.
2. Empirical data
Data that are observable or experienced.
3. Seeking general principles
Laws and Theory
4. Good Thinking
The collection and interpretation of data
should be systematic, objective, and rational
5. Self-Correction
The content of science changes as we acquire
new scientific information and old information
is reevaluated in light of new facts.
6. Publicizing Results
Scientists meet frequently through professional
and special groups and attend professional
conferences to exchange information about
their current work.
7. Replication
THE OBJECTIVES OF PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE
1. Description
Systematic and unbiased account of the
observed characteristics of behaviors
2. Prediction
The capability of knowing in advanced when
certain behaviors would be expected to occur
because we have identified other conditions
with which the behaviors are linked or
associated.
3. Explanation
When we have explained a behavior, we also
understand what causes it to occur
4. Control
The application of what has been learned
about behavior.
THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD TOOLS OF
PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE FROM PSEUDO-SCIENCE
TO PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE
1. Observation
The systematic noting and recording of events
2. Measurement
The assignment of numerical values to objects
or events or their characteristics according to
conventional rules.
3. Experimentation
The process undertaken to test a prediction,
called hypothesis.
SCIENTIFIC EXPLANATION IN PSYCHOLOGICAL
SCIENCE
PSYCH213: EXPERIMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY
Introduction To Experimentation
Prof. Emmanuel Arganda Santiago

1. The Antecedent Condition

Certain situations. Triggering factors of
behavior
2. Comparing Treatment Conditions
Manipulated sets of antecedent conditions
3. Psychology Experiment
Controlled procedures.
4. Establishing Cause and Effect
Existing happening.
5. Necessary versus Sufficient Conditions
Identify conditions

Why do we need Statistics?

1. To produce reliable data
2. To analyze the data appropriately
3. To draw reasonable conclusions