These are both social psychology and developmental psychology lecture notes for the 'Classic Studies (PSY1126)' optional module in first year of the Psychology BSc degree at the University of Exeter.
What is a classic study?
Gives the field its identity - defines who we are and where we’re going. GIving us direction
Establishes the research agenda working out the methods used to tackle important questions
Widely known outside of psychology in the public or discussed in textbooks addressing
fundamental questions of human behaviour
Fundamental questions: Developmental - cognitive development, perception, attachment,
learning, understanding the social world
Social - conformity, obedience, tyranny, helping, stereotypes and prejudice, conflict and
cooperation
Studies become classics with this criteria
1. Big questions - fundamental to human nature
2. Challenging findings
3. Demanding methods
4. Big impact
Defining features of classic studies
Classic studies are often driven by phenomena
- Historical/social events eg. holocaust, discrimination, torture
- Changes in societal values eg. parenting, education, justice
- Paradigm shifts in psychology
Challenging findings are often counter-intuitive
Findings challenged what people thought they knew about human behaviour eg. professionals
thought only 1% of people would go to 450V in Milgram’s study
The stuff of scientific revolution (Kuhn 1962) → Paradigm shift, studies force us to
rethink our understanding of human nature eg. Harlow is responsible for the
importance of developmental psychology
There may be demanding methods for both participants and researchers
Places participants in a novel situation/predicament. Must consider time, costs and effort for
researchers and funders including pilot study work too
Positives: innovative, high in drama, visually appealing, high immediate impact
Negative: not always rigorous - single studies, limited experimental
control/theory/hypothesis/insight into process, some ethical issues - informed consent, right to
withdraw, protection from psychological harm
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