Using relevant research, discuss how and why particular research methods are used at the sociocultural level of analysis There are several different research methods used in psychology such as experimentations (lab, field and quasi), naturalistic observations, and studies (case, cross-cultural). The most favourable in SCLOA are naturalistic observations in order to achieve more qualitative research. This is important in social-cultural psychology as the aim is to investigate the influences of social environment on behaviour and thoughts and to do this most effectively high ecological value is desirable. Despite this, there has been some very famous research obtained through the experimental method. The experimental method is a study of cause and effect.
There are four main goals: to describe, explain, predict and change behavior and mental processes through the use of scientific methods. These goals were set to help psychologists to better understand what factors cause different types of behavior, and are also a thorough way to identify ... ” individuals can decrease the likelihood of a behavior by learning about the conditions that may send them into a predicament. One may think that the problem is solved, but there is still the matter of trying to treat the condition. Finally, we get to the point where we can find out 'how' to alter behavior. It is important to the individual to obtain a typical lifestyle.
Allport, in an attempt to define social psychology said it scientifically tried to explain the cognitions of the individual (for example behaviours) and how they are “influenced by the actual, imagined or implied presence of human beings” (Allport, 1954). In this essay I intend to start with writing about a few different social psychologists and a couple of famous studies to give a bit of background, before the crisis in social psychology. I then aim to develop this into showing what brought about the crisis - its contributions; I will address the various critiques of early experimental social psychology. After the contributions I will write about what happen after the “crisis” and assess if it had a big outcome on the discipline of social psychology. Social psychology has in roots in the beginning of the 20th century in America.
Define cognition Psychology is generally defined as the scientific study of mental processes and behavior. Cognitive psychology could be defined by eliminating the last two words of that definition—the scientific study of mental processes. Behavior is examined by cognitive psychologists, but primarily as an avenue into the underlying mental processes, in the same way that physicists infer the force of gravity from the behavior of objects in the world. And the study of mental processes covers a lot of ground. These processes include attention, remembering, producing and understanding language, solving problems, and making decisions.
Evaluate some of the research methods used in psychology In order to gather the research and finding there are a number of ways in collection data, three type to use. Laboratory method, field experiment then the natural or quasi experimental method this comes under experimental method next is the non-experimental method which consists of observation, survey method, case study method, interviews, ethnogeny, archival research and simulation and role play. Finally correlation a measurement of a relationship between two variables, the variables are controlled by the group not the experimenter, a correlation can be either positive were both variable increases and negative were one variable increases and the other decreases, in both cases this how there a link or relationship not how one variable affect another. Surveys can be used for researched this is when a questionnaire is given out to a sample of the population ,the questions used can be closed ended either yes or no which gives limited information but is the best answers for quantitative data which is all about facts and figures that’s represented in graphs and statistics, while opened ended question gives people the chance to put more of their opinions e.g. it was interesting, these question support qualitative data while is about words this gives a broader view but harder to represent in graphs.
Discuss research into the effect of misleading information on Eye-Witness Testimony (EWT) Research into the effect of misleading questions on EWT was carried out by Loftus & Palmer. Their aim was to see how information supplied after an event could influence a witness’s memory for that event. In the 2nd experiment, experiment 2, the aim of the experiment was to provide additional insights into the origin of the different estimates of speed by the PP’s. Particularly, they wanted to find out if their verbal labelling had distorted the PP’s memories. Two lab studies both using independent measures design were carried out.
Correlational studies are observations in nature, but they involve more formal measurement of environmental events and indivisuals behaviour. Experiments go beyond mere measurement. A psychologist performing an experiment makes things happen and observes the result. The scientific method consists of a set of ruls that dictates the general procedeure a scientist must follow in their research. The following five steps simmarize the rules of the scientific methos that apply to experiments, the mist rigorous form of scientific research.
Content theory explains why human needs change with time. Another theory that attempts to explain human behavior is Process theory. Content theory includes the work of David McClelland, Abraham Maslow and other psychologists as they attempted to explain why human needs change, but not how they change. Content theories explain the specific factors that motivate people. In other words, they answer the question What drives behaviour?
For instance; we are able to learn how stereotypes are formed, why there is racism, and also how a person’s behavior changes in different types of situations. Social psychology differs from other forms of psychology because it uses a scientific method and the empirical study of social phenomenon. General and clinical psychologies both rely on anecdotal observations and subjective interpretations. Psychologists focus on different situations and the different variables that may affect social behavior. Sociology differs from social psychology because sociology specifically looks at the different social behaviors and the surrounding influences at more of a broader view.
Quantitative studies involves logical reasoning or making specific predictions from sources and testing theories. As an example, participants in an experiment might randomly assign one of several students a specific treatment for ADHD. On the other hand, another group might not receive any treatment. Quantitative research will show measureable differences that wasn’t present before treatment between the two groups. The research will determine that the experiment influence caused the difference to occur.