Title: Research Methods in Social Psychology | Noba
Headings: Research Methods in Social Psychology
Research Methods in Social Psychology
Learning Objectives
Introduction
Research Methods in Social Psychology
Laboratory Research
Field Research
Survey Research
Subtle/Nonconscious Research Methods
Archival Research
Research Issues in Social Psychology
The Question of Representativeness
Ethics in Social Psychological Research
Conclusion
Outside Resources
Web: Project Implicit. Take a demonstration implicit association test
Discussion Questions
Vocabulary
Anecdotal evidence
Archival research
Basking in reflected glory
Big data
​Complex experimental designs
Confederate
Correlational research
Cover story
Demand characteristics
Dependent variable
Ecological validity
Electronically activated recorder (EAR)
Experience sampling methods
Field experiment
​Hypothesis
Implicit association test (IAT)
Independent variable
Laboratory environments
Manipulation check
Naturalistic observation
Operationalize
Participant variable
Priming
Random assignment
Samples of convenience
Scientific method
Social facilitation
Social neuroscience
Social or behavioral priming
Survey research
Terror management theory (TMT)
WEIRD cultures
References
Authors
Creative Commons License
How to cite this Noba module using APA Style

Content: The children were tested alone, then again when paired with another child. The results? The children who performed the task in the presence of others out-reeled those that did so alone. Although Triplett’s research fell short of contemporary standards of scientific rigor (e.g., he eyeballed the data instead of measuring performance precisely; Stroebe, 2012 ), we now know that this effect, referred to as “ social facilitation ,” is reliable—performance on simple or well-rehearsed tasks tends to be enhanced when we are in the presence of others (even when we are not competing against them). To put it another way, the next time you think about showing off your pool-playing skills on a date, the odds are you’ll play better than when you practice by yourself. ( If you haven’t practiced, maybe you should watch a movie instead!) Research Methods in Social Psychology
One of the things Triplett’s early experiment illustrated is scientists’ reliance on systematic observation over opinion, or anecdotal evidence. The scientific method usually begins with observing the world around us (e.g., results of cycling competitions) and thinking of an interesting question (e.g., Why do cyclists perform better in groups?). The next step involves generating a specific testable prediction, or hypothesis (e.g., performance on simple tasks is enhanced in the presence of others).