By the end of this section, you will be able to:Describe the different research methods used by psychologistsDiscuss the strengths and weaknesses of case studies, naturalistic observation, surveys, and archival researchCompare longitudinal and cross-sectional approaches to research

By the end of this section, you will be able to:Discuss how research involving human subjects is regulatedSummarize the processes of informed consent and debriefingExplain how research involving animal subjects is regulated

This chapter covers:Why is Research Important?Approaches to ResearchAnalyzing FindingsEthicsFor more information, visit OpenStax College.

By the end of this section, you will be able to:Explain how scientific research addresses questions about behaviorDiscuss how scientific research guides public policyAppreciate how scientific research can be important in making personal decisions

By the end of this section, you will be able to:Explain the figure-ground relationshipDefine Gestalt principles of groupingDescribe how perceptual set is influenced by an individual’s characteristics and mental state

By the end of this section, you will be able to:Describe the basic anatomy and function of the auditory systemExplain how we encode and perceive pitchDiscuss how we localize sound

By the end of this section, you will be able to:Distinguish between sensation and perceptionDescribe the concepts of absolute threshold and difference thresholdDiscuss the roles attention, motivation, and sensory adaptation play in perception

By the end of this section, you will be able to:Describe the basic functions of the chemical sensesExplain the basic functions of the somatosensory, nociceptive, and thermoceptive sensory systemsDescribe the basic functions of the vestibular, proprioceptive, and kinesthetic sensory systems

By the end of this section, you will be able to:Describe the basic anatomy of the visual systemDiscuss how rods and cones contribute to different aspects of visionDescribe how monocular and binocular cues are used in the perception of depth

By the end of this section, you will be able to:Describe important physical features of wave formsShow how physical properties of light waves are associated with perceptual experienceShow how physical properties of sound waves are associated with perceptual experience

By the end of this section, you will be able to:Define aggressionDefine cyberbullyingDescribe the bystander effect

By the end of this section, you will be able to:Define attitudeDescribe how people’s attitudes are internally changed through cognitive dissonanceExplain how people’s attitudes are externally changed through persuasionDescribe the peripheral and central routes to persuasion

By the end of this section, you will be able to:Explain the Asch effectDefine conformity and types of social influenceDescribe Stanley Milgram’s experiment and its implicationsDefine groupthink, social facilitation, and social loafing

By the end of this section, you will be able to:Define and distinguish among prejudice, stereotypes, and discriminationProvide examples of prejudice, stereotypes, and discriminationExplain why prejudice and discrimination exist

By the end of this section, you will be able to:Describe altruismDescribe conditions that influence the formation of relationshipsIdentify what attracts people to each otherDescribe the triangular theory of loveExplain social exchange theory in relationships

By the end of this section, you will be able to:Describe social roles and how they influence behaviorExplain what social norms are and how they influence behaviorDefine scriptDescribe the findings of Zimbardo’s Stanford prison experiment

By the end of this section, you will be able to:Define social psychologyDescribe situational versus dispositional influences on behaviorDescribe the fundamental attribution error