Cambridge International AS and A Level Psychology Research Methods Study Guide

PYSCHOLOGY the scientific study of behaviour and mental process APPROACH school of thought/perspective BIOLOGICAL (PHYSIOLOGICAL) APPROACH examines how one's biology affects behaviour and mental processes COGNITIVE APPROACH examine human thought and behaviour in terms of how we interpret, process and remember events LEARNING APPROACH interested in how humans and animals learn SOCIAL APPROACH -interested in how we work in the social world -looks at how individuals interact with each other and in groups NATURE debate that result from innate, genetic factors NURTURE debate that result from environmental influences RESEARCH METHODS methods used to investigate questions in psychology AIM general statement about the purpose of an investigation EXPERIMENTAL HYPOTHESIS (ALTERNATIVE HYPOTHESIS) Testable statement predicting a difference between levels of the independent variable or a relationship between variables NULL HYPOTHESIS Testable statement saying that any difference or correlation in the results is due to chance that no pattern in the results has arisen because of the variables being studied