DISSECTING RESEARCH

DISSECTING RESEARCH
As you’ve learned in Introduction to Psychology, certain theorists conducted famous studies that are essential
for you to know. The purpose of this assignment is not only to make you more familiar with the assigned
studies, but also for you to think critically about how these psychologists conducted their research. You will
also analyze whether these studies true experiments and if they were ethical.
Over the course of the semester, you will be required to read and dissect 5 famous studies – 20 points per
assignment, 100 points total. These research dissections must be:
1. Typed!
2. Handed in on or before the assigned due dates listed below. No late assignments will be accepted. If
you will be absent you must email it to your teacher.
NECESSARY COMPONENTS:
-
Paragraph #1: Summarize the study
 What was the psychologist’s hypothesis?
 Explain how the psychologist conducted the study.
-
Paragraph #2: Summarize the results
 What results did the psychologist get from running the study?
 What was the impact of the psychologist’s research on the field of psychology?
-
Paragraph #3: Evaluate if the study was a true experiment
 True experiments have independent variables that can be manipulated by the researcher to create
the experimental and control groups. Does the study have both a control group and an
experimental group? Use evidence to support your answer.
-
Paragraph #4: Was this study ethical?
 Think back to our discussions of ethics in Psychology. Does the assigned study follow the ethical
guidelines we discussed?
 You must use 2 pieces of evidence from the reading to support your claim.
THE STUDIES & DUE DATES:
- Subliminal Messages – 2/3/15
- I Can See It All Over Your Face! – 2/24/15
- Watch Out for the Visual Cliff – 3/10/15
- To Help or Not to Help – 4/7/15
- Relaxing Your Fears Away – 4/16/15
DISSECTING RESEARCH RUBRIC
Paragraph #1
Hypothesis – if/then, own words
Study description – detailed
___/2
___/3
Paragraph #2
Description of results – should include statistics
Influence on the field - detailed
___/3
___/2
Paragraph #3
Is it truly an experiment?
Included specific evidence to support the existence (or nonexistence)
of experimental & control groups
Paragraph #4
Was the study ethical? (claim)
Included 2 pieces of evidence to support claim
___/1
___/4
___/1
___/4
TOTAL: ___/20