Class Notes: General Psychology: Emergence of Psych and Research

In designing a study, researchers first define variables to be measured and identify what factors can change. Operationalization involves determining how variables will be measured and selecting the study's design. For instance, comparing groups of people who have slept differently to test the impact of sleep on certain variables illustrates the use of an independent variable (sleep) as a predictor or cause. Data collection and interpretation follow, with replication and communication of findings integral to the scientific process. Research designs can be descriptive, focusing on behaviors, correlational, observing natural associations, or experimental, manipulating factors to reveal effects. The case study of Phineas Gage, who suffered a frontal lobe injury, highlights the birth of neuroscience and the role of different brain areas in controlling functions, with his case illustrating the independent variable (frontal lobe change) and its impact on personality (dependent variable). Correlational research measures the direction and magnitude of associations but cannot establish causation due to potential confounding variables. Experiments address these concerns by manipulating variables and employing random assignment to minimize confounds. In experiments, the dependent variable is what is being measured, while the independent variable is the factor being manipulated, serving as a predictor or cause.