PSY1005S SUMMARY NOTES
Introduction to Psychology Part 2
Made by Tammy van Druten
BSc Occupational Therapy student, second year
, Content
Quantitative Methods Pg. 3
Statistics Pg. 22
Qualitative Methods Pg. 34
Intelligence Pg. 43
Consciousness Pg. 62
Emotion Pg. 81
Motivation Pg. 88
Personality Theories Pg. 100
Social Psychology Pg. 117
PSY1005S Summary Notes 1
, Week 1 Lecture Topic: Quantitative Methods
Why we need science, The scientific process, Correlation and causation,
Experimental design, Variables & how to measure them, Confounds,
Research ethics
LECTURE 1: WHY WE NEED SCIENCE
Why study Psychology?
→ Understand why people do the things they do
→ Understand yourself and your reactions to people better
→ How your brain and body are connected & brain and behaviour interplays
→ How to improve your learning abilities and memory
→ How to deal with the stresses of life (ordinary + extraordinary)
Why study Research Methods?
• Whilst studying Psychology it is important to have an understanding of the methods that
Psychologists use
• Psychology and its research methods promote critical thinking which can be used to
evaluate not only research, but other kinds of statements and claims made by others
• Research can be flawed; understanding the research process can bring those flaws to light
• In order to study behaviour and mental processes, researchers have to observe them. When
observing someone/ something, there is always a possibility that the observer is bias =
faulty observations
• In order to be precise, we use the scientific method to study Psychology
TWO STRANDS OF RESEARCH IN PSYCHOLOGY:
Quantitative Qualitative
Logical positivist paradigm Many different paradigms
Prediction and causation In-depth understandings
PSY1005S Summary Notes 2
, → Lots of politics surrounding quantitative vs. qualitative
→ Both equally important & provide insightful research
→ Quantitative = numbers & statistics; Qualitative = words
→ Paradigm: a pattern/ model
GOALS OF QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
1. DESCRIPTION
Do students who study in front of the TV do worse than those who study in a quiet
environment?
2. PREDICTION
If you study in front of the TV, you’ll do worse than if you study in a quiet environment
3. IDENTIFY CAUSES
Do matric marks influence university outcomes? What influences these marks?
4. EXPLAINING
If watching violence on TV causes aggressive behaviour, how?
MYTHS IN PSYCHOLOGY
− Humans only use 10% of their brains
− ‘Refrigerator mothers’ cause autism in their children
− Opposites attract
WHY SHOULD WE CARE ABOUT MYTHS?
• Can be harmful, e.g. a parent who spanks their child may genuinely believe it is effective
• Can cause indirect damage, e.g. opportunity cost – buying worthless self-help books
• Can impede our critical thinking in other area
PSY1005S Summary Notes 3
Introduction to Psychology Part 2
Made by Tammy van Druten
BSc Occupational Therapy student, second year
, Content
Quantitative Methods Pg. 3
Statistics Pg. 22
Qualitative Methods Pg. 34
Intelligence Pg. 43
Consciousness Pg. 62
Emotion Pg. 81
Motivation Pg. 88
Personality Theories Pg. 100
Social Psychology Pg. 117
PSY1005S Summary Notes 1
, Week 1 Lecture Topic: Quantitative Methods
Why we need science, The scientific process, Correlation and causation,
Experimental design, Variables & how to measure them, Confounds,
Research ethics
LECTURE 1: WHY WE NEED SCIENCE
Why study Psychology?
→ Understand why people do the things they do
→ Understand yourself and your reactions to people better
→ How your brain and body are connected & brain and behaviour interplays
→ How to improve your learning abilities and memory
→ How to deal with the stresses of life (ordinary + extraordinary)
Why study Research Methods?
• Whilst studying Psychology it is important to have an understanding of the methods that
Psychologists use
• Psychology and its research methods promote critical thinking which can be used to
evaluate not only research, but other kinds of statements and claims made by others
• Research can be flawed; understanding the research process can bring those flaws to light
• In order to study behaviour and mental processes, researchers have to observe them. When
observing someone/ something, there is always a possibility that the observer is bias =
faulty observations
• In order to be precise, we use the scientific method to study Psychology
TWO STRANDS OF RESEARCH IN PSYCHOLOGY:
Quantitative Qualitative
Logical positivist paradigm Many different paradigms
Prediction and causation In-depth understandings
PSY1005S Summary Notes 2
, → Lots of politics surrounding quantitative vs. qualitative
→ Both equally important & provide insightful research
→ Quantitative = numbers & statistics; Qualitative = words
→ Paradigm: a pattern/ model
GOALS OF QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
1. DESCRIPTION
Do students who study in front of the TV do worse than those who study in a quiet
environment?
2. PREDICTION
If you study in front of the TV, you’ll do worse than if you study in a quiet environment
3. IDENTIFY CAUSES
Do matric marks influence university outcomes? What influences these marks?
4. EXPLAINING
If watching violence on TV causes aggressive behaviour, how?
MYTHS IN PSYCHOLOGY
− Humans only use 10% of their brains
− ‘Refrigerator mothers’ cause autism in their children
− Opposites attract
WHY SHOULD WE CARE ABOUT MYTHS?
• Can be harmful, e.g. a parent who spanks their child may genuinely believe it is effective
• Can cause indirect damage, e.g. opportunity cost – buying worthless self-help books
• Can impede our critical thinking in other area
PSY1005S Summary Notes 3
