Experimental psychology

Make a 150 words for each of the questions question 1 : Think of a controversial statement and present it to two subjects individually. Ask them whether they agree and to justify their opinion. Then analyze the responses. Each of you, share your data and your analyses of the approach represented by each response (authority, tenacity, a priori methods, or the scientific method). In addition to posting your own data, comment on the analysis of at least one statement by another member of the class. In reviewing the data collected above from the class, which type of reasoning seems most predominant? Can you think of good reasons why that might be so? Do you think Pierce's four categories are sufficient? question 2 : Discuss two areas in which science may not be the appropriate path to truth. For some additional insight into this topic, read my comments on the Search for Knowledge and Understanding. question 3 : Find an example of a pair of highly correlated but not causally related variables. Here's one example: In some Scandinavian countries, the number of storks is correlated with the number of newborn children. Does that mean that storks bring babies? The likely explanation is that newly married couples build new house (with roofs that storks like to nest on) and have babies. Here variable C (newly married couples) caused both A (increased stork populations) and B (newborns). A and B don't have any direct relationship at all question 4 : Design your own experiment! You are interested in discovering whether students in an online class score higher on their final exam as compared to students in a face-to-face classroom environment. List the independent and dependent variables as well as any control variables you think should be considered. Read over your classmates' responses and see if you can help improve at least one. Working together is encouraged. question 5 : Describe the scales of measurement and why they are important for researchers. Make up 2 variables and describe which scale of measurement applies to each. question 6 : Make sure you have read my comments on this experiment before you begin. What is the independent variable in the Stroop study? What are the different values of this variable? What is the dependent variable? * What, in fact, is the Stroop effect? (Hint: it is not a single condition, but a comparison of conditions). * Does any theory predict what might happen with practice? Would any theory be "embarrassed" if the effect were reduced by practice? question 7 : Do you think the APA should take an ethical stand on the use of knowledge obtained from experimental psychology? Should, for example, military psychologists refuse to help design methods of torture? Is there an ethical distinction between designing methods of interrogation (that some would call torture) and taking part in executing them? What thoughts do you have on these (and any other) questions after reading the Mayer article? * Note that this is an online article and is NOT in your Selected Readings packet. To help you get started, make sure you've read my comments on the Mayer article. question 8 : What are some things you should consider when writing up a research report? What advice would you give to someone just learning how to read and write a report?