Psychology G12

It might be tempting to toss out all the evi- people, but they have been done with mon- Complete a ;
dence that contradicts the hypothesis and keys and other animals. Such research has
present to others only the evidence that helped psychologists investigate the bonds of Webquest at j

supports the hypothesis. But this would be attachment between parents and children. torhnein-sk.cenenaimtrracl-.chdom.l
misleading and thus unethical. It might also There are other examples of psychological
become an obstacle to others' attempts to
study psychology. studies that rely on animals in order to avoid
harming humans. Psychologists and biologists
ffi Define why is confidentiality so who study the brain sometimes destroy parts
of the brains of laboratory animals to learn
important in psychology? how those parts influence their behavior. This

fficseareh with Animals and other types of research on animals have
benefited humans. Advances in the treatment
Needless to say, the experiments referred to of mental disorders, strokes, visual and mem-
earlier in the chapter, in which the scientists ory defects, headaches, and high blood pres-
studied fish, were conducted with animals. sure can be traced to animal research.
Most studies that use animals (such as those
in which researchers have rats run through Psychologists use animals only when there
mazes to frnd out how they learn) do not harm is no alternative and when they believe that
the animals at aII. The idea of using a mirror the benefits outweigh the harm. Only a small
to find out about the fighting frsh was a much percentage of psychological studies involve
more ethical method than using another fight- animals. Some researchers argue that many
ing frsh. The scientists were able to move the
mirror, but if they had used another real fish, advances in medicine and psychology could
the two fish might have fought to the death. not have taken place without harming some

Sometimes, however, psychologists and animals.

other scientists conduct research that may Yet many people believe that it is no more
be harmful to animals. Such research stud-
ethical to harm animals than it is to harm
ies often use animals because they cannot be
humans. Although the APA has rules of eth-
carried out with people for ethical reasons. ics for how animals used in research should
be treated, controversy continues to surround
Experiments on the effects of early separation the use of animals in scientific research.

of children from their mothers are an exam- mffire Recall Why are rules needed for
ple. These experiments could not be done with
the treatment of animals in experiments?

sment 6. Analyze Using your notes and a graphic organizer, explain
the role of variables, experimental and control groups, and
Reviewing Main ldeas and Vocabulary the placebo effect in the experimental method.

l. Define What is a controlled experiment? 7. Persuasive ln a paragraph, explain why you think research
involving animals should be either abandoned or expanded.
2. Summarize What is the purpose of ethical standards in
the field of psychology?

3. Explain Why are confidentiality and informed consent
important to psychological research?

Thinking Critically
4. Draw Conclusions Why might a double-blind study yield

more reliable results than a single-blind study?

5. Support a Point of View Do you believe it is ethical or

unethical to deceive people about the purposes of research
studies?

PSYCHOLOGICALMETHODS 57

ExBer

*pplyii? WhatYou've

The Hypothetical Use the workbook to
complete this experiment.
Snack Bar

Among students at our school, are stated preferences

for cola soft drinks and tortilla chips consistent with

preferences when these items are taste-tested?

1. lntroduction 2. Conducting the
Cola Experiment
The premise of the experiment is to conduct a double-blind
taste test study. Before you start, record your favorite flavor There will be a shield between the subject and the tester.
of soda among those you are going to test. Then record your The subjects will also be blindfolded when they sit down at
favorite flavor of tortilla chip among those you are going to the table.
test. You are trying to prove or disprove your hypothesis.
Two students, acting as assistants, pour the soda into plastic
Set up two tables in the classroom, one for the soda cups.
experiment and one for the tortilla chip experiment. The
subjects in the soda experiment will be the testers in the The cups will be labeled in such a way that only the assistants
tortilla chip experimenU the subjects in the tortilla chip know which soda is in which cup.
experiment will be the testers in the soda experiment.
The sodas must be the same color, either all colored or all clear.

The tester will not be able to tell which cup holds which soda;
therefore, it is a double-blind study and there can be no bias
on the part ofthe researchers.

The tester is given three cups of soda by the assistants, who
have recorded which soda is in which cup.

The subject tastes each of the sodas and indicates which
is his or her preference. The tester records the results and,
when the study is complete, the results are analyzed by the
assistants.

58 cHRprun z

r I r7r - fr ,

*Errtr

- --

3. Conducting the 4. Discussion
Tortilla Chip Experiment
This experiment covers target population, how to conduct
There will be a shield between the subject and the tester. a study, single-blind and double-blind studies, and
The subjects will also be blindfolded when they sit down at several other topics covered in the chapter. Hold a group
the table. discussion that focuses on the following questions:

'r" You will follow the same steps with the tortilla chips as rlrr: !!35 the hypothesis proved or disproved?
with the cola drinks.
: Which subject matter that you studied in the chapter was
r The bowls will be labeled in such a way that only the
touched on by these experiments?
assistants know which chips are in which bowl.
'r', What did you learn from this experiment?
The chips should be the same brand but three different
flavors. Try to get chips that have the same color coating
on them so the tester cannot tell the difference. This will
satisfy the requirements for a double-blind study.

,, The tester will not be able to tell which bowl holds which

chips;therefore, it is a double blind study and there can be
no bias on the part ofthe researchers.

,,' The tester is given three servings of chips by the assistants
who have recorded which chips are in which bowl.

,, The subject tastes each of the chips and indicates which

is his or her preference. The tester records the results and,
when the study is complete, the results are analyzed by
the assistants.

.,, You can extend the experiment by using cut-up pieces
of candy bars or snack crackers in different flavors. The
experiments are run the exact same way as the soda and
tortilla chip tests.

r,i:1r-.::/. r I ;- ni4r:::::.::!4ur;..i1i!i{6i:;

Comprehension and Critical Thinking Reviewing Vocabulary

SECTION 7 (pp.34-37) Match the terms below with their correct defrnitions.

1. a. ldentify What is the first step in scientific 6. hypothesis 12. placebo
7. sample 13. standard deviation
research? S.longitudinal method 14. ethics
9. correlation 15. control group
b. Explain What is a hypothesis and how is it 10. experiment 16. single-blind study
11. variables
often worded?
c. Elaborate Explain the importance of replica- A. method researchers use to answer questions
about cause and effect
tion in scientific research.
B. researchers select a group ofparticipants and
SECTION 2 (pp. 38-42) then observe them over a period of time
2. a. Define What is a bias?
C. part ofa target population studied by researchers
b. Compare and Contrast What are some of the
advantages and disadvantages ofthe survey D. substance or treatment that has no effect apart

method? from a person's belief in it

c. Elaborate Why must psychologists select sam- E. educated guess or answer to a research question
ples scientifically? F. factors that can vary or change in an experiment

sEcTtoN I (pp. a4as) G. measure of how closely two things are related

3. a. Recalt What is the cross-sectional method? H. standards for proper and responsible behavior
b. Explain What is the difference between positive
correlation and negative correlation? l. a measure of distance of every score to the mean
c. Evaluate Ifcorrelations do not explain cause J. participants do not know whether they are in the
and effect, why are they useful?
experimental group or the control group
SECTION 4 (pp.51-57) K. members of a study who do not receive treatment
4. a. Describe What is the experimental method?
Psychology in Your Life
b. Compare and Contrast What is the difference
between an experimental group and a control 17. Do you have a family pet, perhaps a cat or a dog?
What would you think of your pet being used
group? in an animal experiment that focused on fam-
c. Evaluate Under what circumstances do you ily pets? Write an essay in which you defend or
argue against the use of animal subjects in psy-
think a psychologist might justifiably break the chological research. Do some background reading
promise of confidentiality? so that you can support your position with facts.
Read your essay to the class as part ofa class dis-
5. Surveys are often used to help predict future cussion about the ethics of research with animals.
events, such as election outcomes. How might
these surveys affect the outcome of the events?
Choose a recent election, such as a 2008 state
primary election to choose a presidential can-
didate or the national election for president.
Use the Internet to research how pre-election
surveys and polls might have affected election
results. Write a short report that summarizes
your findings.

60 cHRptR z

SKILLS ACTIVITY: ANALYZING PRIMARY SOURCES Visit thinkcentral.com for
Read the following excerpt, which is taken from the Ethics Code of the review and enrichment
activities related to this chapter.
American Psychological Association. Then answer the questions that
ONtllrlE QUIZZES
foilow. Take a practice quiz for each
section in this chapter.
55 Psychologists strive to benefit those with whom they work and
take care to do no harm. ln their professional actions, psychologists WEBQUEST
seek to safeguard the welfare and rights of those with whom they Complete a structured
interact professionally and other affected persons, and the welfare lnternet activity for this
of animal subjects of research. When conflicts occur among psy- chapter.
chologists'obligations or concerns, they attempt to resolve these
conflicts in a responsible fashion that avoids or minimlzes harm. QUICK LAB
Because psychologists' scientific and professional judgments and Reinforce a key concept
actions may affect the lives of others, they are alert to and guard with a short lab activity.
against personal, financial, social, organizational, or political factors
that might lead to misuse of their influence.!! APPLYING WHAT
-American Psychological Association Ethics Code YOU'VE LEAR}IED
Revlew and apply your
18. ldentify Main ldeas What is the essential ethical value or point of knowledge by completing a
this excerpt? project-based assessment.

19. Draw Conclusions Why must psychologists consider the welfare and EACTIVITIES
rights of their clients? Complete chapter lnternet
activities for enrich ment.
Use your knowledge of psychological methods to answer the question
below. Do not simply list the facts. Present a clear argument based on INTERAffIVE FEATURE
your critical analysis ofthe question, using the appropriate psychologi- Explore an interactive version
cal terminology. of a key feature in this chapter.

20. Briefly describe each of the following terms commonly used in estab- KEEP !T CURRENT
lished psychological procedures or methods. Describe how these Link to current news and
terms help to ensure that psychological research is conducted in a research in psychology.
scientific manner.
Learn more
. mean about key topics
. median in this chapter.
. mode
. range P5YCHOLOGICAL METHODS 61
. standard deviation

Experimental Some experimental psychologists conduct research only with
Psychologist people. Others work with animals, such as dolphins.

Generally considered the most scientific of psycho- Temperament may be one of the most important
logical disciplines, experimental psychology involves factors when considering a career in experimental
research into the basic biological processes related psychology, because it takes a certain type of person
to behavior, thoughts, and emotions. to think in these process-oriented terms. Like those in
other basic research fields, experimental psychologists
Experimental psychologists follow a set of strictly tend to be detail-oriented, patient individuals who eas-
controlled scientific procedures to learn about the rela- ily become absorbed in their work, and do not require
tionships among two or more variables. Their research regular, close contact with other people. They tend to
usually emphasizes physiological studies of the nervous be independent, abstract thinkers. A doctoral degree
system, the brain itself, and the basic processes of think- is mandatory for the most engrossing work in experi-
ing, feeling, remembering, and perceiving external mental psychology. Candidates must have a strong
stimuli. Experimental psychologists lay the groundwork preparation in the hard sciences, with a concentration in
for more practical kinds of research and counseling. This neuroanatomy, physiology, biology, molecular biology,
basic research, which may seem to have no practical and genetics.
value at the time it is conducted, has led other research-
ers to develop useful techniques for reducing stress, Most graduate programs prefer candidates who
increasing motivation, enhancing memory, and encour- have already demonstrated some competence in
aging longer attention spans, for example. research and laboratory skills before entering the doc-
toral program. lf a career in experimental psychology
ln conducting their research, experimental psychol- appeals to you, it would be wise to gain some exposure
ogists often work with animals. They may compare the to research science as an undergraduate or even while
behavior of one species with that of another.ln many still in high school.
cases, experimental psychologists use primates because
their behavior is so similar to that of humans. The ethi-
cal use of animals in research procedures is a matter
of ongoing debate. The benefits from using them,
however, generally outweigh the potential harm. Also,
experimental psychologists are careful to ensure that
the animals receive humane treatment. Guidelines aid
psychologists as they design animal research projects.

Many articles in professional journals body of the text and include the author's '&
last name and the year of publication:
report the research of experimental psy- (Martin, 2007). For direct quotes, page THINK
chologists. ln keeping with the guide- numbers are also included: (Newman, r-rr''1r,.il
lines from the American Psychological 2008, p.208). ln-text citations are a sign
Association (APA), these articles follow a of quality scholarship. They also help style guidelines. Review the APA guide-
similar style for citing source materials. authors avoid plagiarism and help read- lines. Then make a list of different types of
in-text citations and provide an example
The APA prefers citations within the ers locate the complete article. for each type.
Through Think Central you can find
text when referencing the source material
used for direct quotes and paraphrased more on in-text citations from the APA
information. These citations appear In the

62 ururr r