Course Contents

1 Introduction to Experimental Psychology: definition, characteristics, brief history and its application. 2 The Research Plan: steps in conducting Experimental Research, introduction to some experimental and non experimental methods used in psychology 3 Advantages and disadvantages of experimental method and its comparison with other methods 4 Psycho-physics: Introduction and importance 5 Psycho-physical methods: methods of absolute threshold 6 Methods of differential threshold, Signal Detection Theory 7 Learning: definition, characteristics and Types 8 Classical Conditioning, principles, its application 9 Operant Conditioning: definition, principles, types of reinforcement and punishment 10 Partial reinforcement, Schedule of reinforcement, comparison of classical and operant conditioning 11 Verbal Learning 12 Motor Learning 13 Theories of Learning and Reinforcement: Skinner, Guthrie 14 Memory: Information Processing Models 15 Thinking: Definition, types Creative Thinking 16 Theories of motivation by Helson & Atkinson

Course Synopsis

Course Objectives: • To present current methodology and concepts in experimental psychology • To equip students with techniques of communicating results of experiments • To include an ethical approach to conduct experimental research

Course Learning Outcomes

On completion of this course students will be able to: 1. Describe the critical distinctions between scientific and non-scientific approaches to understanding behavior. 2. Describe how psychological concepts, constructs and variables are operationally defined; 3. Identify the independent and dependent variables of a hypothesis 4 Select an appropriate research methodology to test a variety of hypotheses and predictions.