Chapter 1: Intro to Social Psychology

Part 2: Fri. Jan. 17, 2014

Social Psychology and Values• Our values influence our research.

– Our choice of research topics– Our observations of people:

– What are we primed to see & hear?• Michael Shermer’s TED talk – examples…

• Where is most social psych research done? – Influence on theory building?

• Leadership theories across cultures -

• Application – video on American approach to healing after trauma (Ethan Watters’ book “Crazy Like Us”)

– Limitations / assumptions about PTSD?

Research Methods• Importance of scientific method

– Some results appear counterintuitive• How to increase voter turnout?

• Research Process – develop ideas, test them, interpret results

• Sampling issues – – Sample generalize to population

– How is a random sample defined?• Why is it best?

• How can we draw a random sample?