Ch 1 Psychologys Roots Big Ideas and Critical Thinking Tools Paper
Chapter 1: Psychology’s Roots, Big Ideas, and Critical Thinking Tools
- Let’s say that you were interested in what people do while they ride public transportation. How could you use case studies, naturalistic observation, and surveys to learn more about those activities? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each method?
- “Results of a new study show that every one-hour increase in sleep duration was associated with a 72 percent decrease in the likelihood of moderate or high suicide risk, in comparison with low risk.” (You can read more about the study here (Links to an external site.).) Does this describe a positive or a negative correlation? Explain.
Your friend says, “As a country, we need to sleep more! That will keep people from killing themselves!” Based on what you know about correlations, how should you respond to your friend? (Hint: Figure 1.3 on page 17 can help you think about this.)
3. In an experiment, “[p]articipants drove in a simulator while either talking or not talking on a hands-free cell phone.” Those who were talking on a cell phone made more driving errors, such as swerving off the road or into the wrong lane, running a stoplight or stop sign, not stopping for a pedestrian in a crosswalk, than those who were not talking on a cell phone. Even more interestingly, those who were talking on a cellphone rated their driving in the simulator as safer as compared to those who weren’t talking on a cellphone. In other words, those talking on the cellphone were less likely to be aware of the driving errors they were making.
In this experiment, identify the independent variable (including the experimental and control condition) and the two main dependent variables.
Source: Sanbonmatsu, D.M., Strayer, D.L., Biondi, F. et al. (2016). Cell-phone use diminishes self-awareness of impaired driving. Psycholonomic Bulletin & Review,23(2), 617-623. doi:10.3758/s13423-015-0922-4
4. In the driving experiment in question #3, participants were randomly assigned to drive in the simulator while talking on a cell phone or not. Explain what random assignment is, why researchers use it, and why it was important in the driving experiment.
5. Watch this video. In this research, what was the independent variable? What were some of the dependent variables?
6. Hypothesis: If students test themselves while studying, then they will do better on a test. Design an experiment that would test this hypothesis. In your description, identify the independent variable (including the experimental and control conditions) and the dependent variable. Be sure to include operational definitions of both the independent and dependent variables.
Chapter 2: The Biology of Mind and Consciousness
8. Watch this video. Explain how he can draw a square with one hand while he is drawing a circle with the other hand.
9. Watch the short videos below and read the comic strip. Identify the psychological concept each is illustrating. Explain why you chose that concept or those concepts. Using this information, explain to your friend why you won’t ride in the car with him the next time he is talking on his phone while driving.
Colour changing card trick video
Betty comic strip. Focus on the son’s experience:
10. What are the effects of sleep loss? Next, explain what happens to your studying or your ability to take a test if you don’t get enough sleep?
