Psychological Perspectives, Pseudo-Science & Astrology Empirical Research Activity

Session 7 - Psychological Perspectives

Discuss the results from each student’s timeline – run through the major points with the class... Questions that could be asked: What were the most interesting points you included in your timeline? Ask students to copy down the following in their workbooks: There are various different approaches in contemporary psychology.  An approach is a perspective (i.e. view) that involves certain assumptions (i.e. beliefs) about human behaviour: the way they function, which aspects of them are worthy of study and what research methods are appropriate for undertaking this study. There may be several different theories within an approach, but they all share these common assumptions. Move onto the different perspectives (mention that most the psychologists in the timeline belong to one) and hand out relevant information – use the textbook and following website: http://www.simplypsychology.org/perspective.html ·      Biological ·      Cognitive ·      Behavioural ·      Socio-cultural Assign a different perspective to each group (4) and each group member (4-5) a task / question: 1.     In approximately 80 words provide your own overview of the relevant perspective. 2.     Describe influential figures and their ideas / practice related to the perspective. 3.     Provide a detailed explanation (80 words) about how research is conducted in this perspective. 4.     What are the strengths of this perspective? 5.     What are the limitations compared to the other perspectives? All groups are then to summarize using the information gathered from all of the tasks and questions for each group. Session 8 - Pseudoscience & Introduction to Astrology ERA All groups are then to summarize using the information gathered from all of the tasks and questions for each group. Assign a different perspective to each group (4) and each group member (4-5) a task / question: Allow roughly 10 or so minutes for students to complete the Psychological Perspectives group work – needs to be taken up and photocopied on to A4 paper for all students… Move onto title: ‘The Study of Psychology’ as students to copy the following in their workbooks: Pseudoscience One of the earliest techniques to study psychology and attempt to predict human behaviour was through a technique called phrenology. This involved feeling bumps on a person’s skull to assess their personality. This is an early example of what is known as a pseudoscience – a fake or false science. Pseudosciences  include palmistry (palm reading) and astrology (reading the stars and sky). When people believe that there is some truth to the readings given using a pseudoscience it is known as the ‘Barnum Effect’. That is the individual’s tendency to consider personal descriptions to be accurate if they are stated in general terms. Important to mention the two types of data needed for psychological / scientific research to be conducted: –      Subjective data = interviews, self-reports, questionnaires, observation. –      Objective data = data that can be directly observed and measured. Phrenology clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80dZ71Km6_g&feature=related Astrology: http://www.cainer.com/ In both cases there is no evidence of the data mentioned above… Introduce the Astrology ERA to the class – go over the main aim of the study and prep work. Session 9 - What is Psychology?  Chapter 2 Summary Students are to read through the Chapter 2 Summary (page 64) and complete the multiple-choice questions and short answered questions on page 65 & 66) The above work must be completed in their workbooks and ready for correction next Wednesday 29th Feb.

Psychiatrist Visit & The Beginnings of Psychology

Session 5 - Psychiatrist Visit - Brian Stagol

All students are to complete a Ven Diagram throughout the presentation.


Session 6 - Reflection & The Beginnings of Psychology

1)    Describe the procedures and practices of a psychiatrist.

2)    What was the most interesting idea, concept or thought discussed?

3)    Would you consider employment in this field? Why or why not?

Share thoughts concerning the difference between psychology and psychiatry individual Venn Diagrams – place ideas up on whiteboard… Students are then to move onto constructing their own timeline in relation to ‘The Beginnings of Psychology’. All students are to use the A3 paper, the materials provided and the information from pages 49 – 54 of the textbook to place the psychologist on the timeline and include the following bits of information: ·      Name (Dates): ·      Background: ·      Achievements in the Field: ·      Interesting: The timeline needs to be completed by Monday 20th February

Research Methods, Psychology in Everyday Life and Areas & Employment of Psychology

Session 1 - Research Methods

Discussion concerning the holiday homework of annotating a selected psychological experiment / study in regards to the 7 steps of psychological research.

Revision of relevant research method concepts:

• Hypothesis
• Independent Variable
• Dependent Variable

All students completed the Smarties Activity - Population & Sample exercise.

Relevant questions needed to be written up in full sentences in students workbook.

Session 2 - Psychology in Everyday Life

Students view a number of relevant clips that relate to how psychology can be used in everyday life - broken down into important facets of society such as; advertising / consumerism, health & medicine and law & justice.

Read through relevant pages of the text and complete the Psych Overview Flowchart Fig 1.1 from the Student Activity Manual.

Session 3 - Areas of Specialisation & Employment

Ask students to copy down the following notes in their workbook: Psychology as a Profession: Psychologists are highly trained professionals who specialise in creating, teaching and applying psychological knowledge. In seeking to provide answers to questions about human behaviour, they gather scientific data to describe, understand, predict and control behaviour. Areas of Specialisation within Psychology The Australian Psychological Society has identified 10 specialist areas of psychology. ·      Biological Psychologist ·      Clinical Psychology ·      Clinical Neuropsychology ·      Health Psychology ·      Sport Psychology ·      Cognitive Psychology ·      Personality Psychology ·      Counseling Psychology ·      Educational Psychology ·      Forensic Psychology -       Read 44, 45 & 46 and complete ‘Fields of Psychology’ Activity 1.2 – Run answers with the students… -       Handout the research investigation and explain what needs to be completed – allow students time to complete the task. Homework Task: A Research Investigation                  Choose an employment area involving psychology that most interests you and write a 200 – 250 word summary addressing the following questions: •What type of work or duties are performed? •What courses / subjects need to be undertaken? •What qualifications are needed to be employed in this position? •Anything else of interest such as the demand for people in this area, salary or the working environment… Relevant references: http://www.psychology.org.au/ http://www.psychxchange.com.au/JobSearch.aspx http://www.all-about-psychology.com/types-of-psychology.html Due to be handed in on Wednesday 15th February