INTRODUCTION TO EXPERIMENTAL

PSYCHOLOGY
1. According to passer and Smith “Experimental psychology focuses on basic
processes such as learning, sensory systems (e.g.,vision, hearing), perception,
and motivational states (e.g., sexual motivation, hunger, thirst).” Wilhelm Wundt,
German psychologist, was the founder of Experimental psychology and
established the first laboratory in the university of Leipzig in 1879. In the lab,
variables are used which is any characteristic, object of any value or amount that
varies. The first experimental psychology laboratory was established in Calcutta
University in 1916.
2. What is research?
- Research means a systematic procedure to investigate something using a
scientific method to interpret and conclude.
- According to Hampshire.edu, “Research is a process of systematic inquiry
that entails collection of data; documentation of critical information; and
analysis and interpretation of that data/information, in accordance with
suitable methodologies set by specific professional fields and academic
disciplines.”
3. What is an experiment?
- It is a systematic procedure of manipulating variables in a controlled
condition to establish cause and effect relationship
- There are three elements of experiment:
a. Manipulation
b. Keeping other conditions
c. Looking for the effect of change under observation
4. Major criteria for an experiment:
- There are three major criteria for an experiment
a. Systematic manipulation of dependent variable
b. Aspects of environment that are not of interest/ held contact
c. Random assignment of subject to different conditions of
experiments
I.example: coin tossing
5. Variable:
- Variable is defined as an entity and can be measured. It is an entity that
can be controlled, observed and manipulated.
- There are all types of variables:
 a. Independent Variable:the variable that is an independent or
manipulated by the experimenter
b. Dependent Variable:Variable that is dependent
- It is observed and measured
- Impact of dv is dependent upon two factors which are
subject and situation
c. Extraneous Variable:
- It is kept constant to minimize the effect of the subject and
situation
d. Confounding Variable:
- Extraneous variable that come to vary along the independent
variable thereby affecting researcher’s ability to draw cause
and effect
e. Control Variable:
- When changes occur after using independent variable,
researchers can be sure that it didn’t happen because of any
other factor other than using independent variable
f. Age
6. What is Hypothesis?
- It is a verifiable relationship between two or more variables
- Speculation or theory based that based on insufficient evidence
- Precise or testing statement what the researcher predict will be for study
- It is written in its declarative form
- Mcguign(1990) defined hypothesis as a “testable state of potential
between two or more variables that is advanced as potential solution to
the problem”
- It is also known as “tentative answer to the problem”
- Problem leads to question
- Aim and purpose are almost the same but aim is broad while purpose is
used in thesis and report writing
7. Characteristics of Hypothesis:
- It is conceptually clear
- It must be testable
- It should be economical and parsimonious
- It should be related to existing body of theory or facts
- It should have logical unity or comprehensive
- It is general in scope
- It should be available to scientific rules and techniques
- It should be in accord with other hypothesis of same field
- It should help in establishing relationship between two or more variables
 - There are two types of hypothesis
a. Null Hypothesis: No relationship between two variables
- More accepted
b. Alternative Hypothesis: it is of two types
- Directional:specifies that true value is less than 0
- Non directional hypothesis:mTrue parameter is less than or
more than 0
8. Experimental and Controlled Groups
- In experimental group, the value of independent variable can be found but
in the controlled group the value of independent variable is not found
9. Validity
- It is a concept that is suppose to measure what it is suppose to measure
- It is of two types
a. External
- It refers to generalisability or extent to which the outcome
can generalize certain population/settings
b. internal
- Establish cause and effect easily
- It is maximizing
10. Types of experiment:
- Laboratory:
a. It is based on the setting of a laboratory in highly controlled
conditions.
- field: experiment based in field
- The difference between lab and field

11. References:
- Passer and Smith, 5th edition
- IOP practical Notes
- Britannica.com
- University of Calcutta brochure
- Hampshire.edu
- Verywell mind
- AK Singh