Reflections on movie and tools to help National University Students ace the final and others to add to fund of knowledge
Here's what I am asking you to do before I offer practice questions similar to those that will be on the exam. After seeing the movie, AI, and then listening to these songs posted below, what message can you draw regarding the state of the psychology of science and scientific research. Is there something missing? Are there interstices, or gaps in the present paradigm? If so, how can psychology, as a field, be improved upon?
words and music by Dr BLT © 2009
Enter your answer in the comments section below. Then practice for the final using the following excercise:
Back in December, 2007, Billy Bob, a fictional student, found himself enrolled in a graduate course on research---one taught by Dr. BLT. Billy Bob missed Dr. BLT's research class on Wednesday, when the students held an exam practice session, and he's afraid of computers, so he didn't searched Dr. BLT's blogs to see if there was anything that might have helped him bone up for the exam.
Nevertheless, Bob remembers that took an undergraduate course that covered much of the material that Dr. BLT had been covering. This has added to his level of confidence in the course. Actually, Billy is beyond confident, he's downright cocky. Other students can't stand him because he acts like a know-it-all that doesn't have to study for anything. Besides, he's a big Vanilla Ice fan, and he still dresses and acts like Vanilla Ice. Bob thought that on Saturday, the day of the final, he could just go prancing in to the class and ace the exam, without even preparing. Well, we'll just see about that! You know what they say about pride coming before a fall. Now you'll get a chance to see just how far and how hard, Billy Bob fell, if at all.
Find out if Billy's prior knowledge on the subject was sufficient in preparing him for the test. Do that by correcting his test. In the comments section below, identify any wrong answers, if there are any, in Billy Bob's completed final:
- T or F
The traditional medium for communicating research results is the scientific journal.
2. T or F
The scientific journal is the repository for accumulated knowledge of a field.
- Familiarity with the literature allows an individual investigator:
- To look good before peers.
- To avoid having to carry out a scientific experiment
- To avoid needlessly repeating work that has been done before
- To build on existing work
- To contribute something new
- All of the above.
- All of the following except b.
- Yes or No
The writing process initially requires a thorough review and evaluation of previous work in the literature.
4.
You are likely to do exceedingly well on your final papers for this class if you make the following errors in your bad paper, and correctly identify and provide remedies for them in your good paper.
- piecemeal publication, that is, the separation of a single substantial report into a series of overlapping papers.
- The reporting of only a single correlation
- The reporting of negative results without attention to a power analysis
- Lack of congruence between a study’s specific operations (including those related to the design and analysis) and the author’s interpretation and discussion of the study’s outcomes (e.g., failure to report the statistical test at the level being claimed);
- Failure to report effect sizes
- Failure to build in needed controls, often for a subtle but important aspect of the study
- All of the above
- None of the above
- T or F
It’s a good idea to simply prepare a manuscript without first evaluating the research and judging whether or not it represents an important contribution to the field.
- The following questions are not important in assessing the quality of a particular work of research.
a. Is the research question significant, and is the work original and important?
b. Is the author old enough to really have the experience necessary to do good research?
c. Have the instruments been demonstrated to have satisfactory reliability and validity?
d. Are the outcome measures clearly related to the variables with which the investigation is concerned?
e. Does the research design fully and unambiguously test the hypothesis?
f. Are participants representative of the population to which generalizations are made?
g. What kind of numbers, in terms of readership, is the journal able to muster up in order for the journal to be credible?
h. B and G
- Yes or No
Is it really necessary for the researcher to observe ethical standards in the treatment of participants for a researcher to put out good research?
- T or F
In creating a bad research paper, it is important to offer your literature review, and your findings even if the research is not at an advanced enough a stage to make publication of results meaningful.
- T or F
In assigning authorship, you should include people who make an insignificant contribution to a particular work, even if the individual(s) did not hold responsibility for the data, concepts, or interpretation of the results of a published work.
- Eldon Braun and Kelly Dee were excited to wrap up a longitudinal study on kids who were never spanked before. Both had separate plans involving family vacations. Two weeks passed and the article was finally published in the Journal of Disciplinary Science. Before preparing to buy her airline tickets, Kelly Dee opened a package she had been expecting in the mail. It was a copy of the Journal with the article on spanking published inside. But, much to her horror, when she glanced at the front page of the article, she noticed that she was named as second author, rather than taking the lead.
She couldn’t believe that she put most of the work into the research and wasn’t given full authorship. In her mind, Eldon was simply a figurehead with a few important connections in the field.
The finding ruined her family vacation, and she never spoke with Eldon Braun again. This whole ending could have been avoided had…
a. the two families joined together in one big vacation rather than going their separate ways.
b. Authorship issues been clarified before getting too far into the research project.
c. Eldon Braun been spanked more as a child
d. None of the above
e. All of the above
f. Some of the above, but it’s not clear which of them
- Reports of empirical studies are reports of..
a. obscure destinations
b. good behavior
c. bad weather
d. original research
e. non-original research that is better than the original work
- Reports of empirical studies include these stages, in this order:
a. introduction; method; results; discussion
b. introduction, results, discussion, method
c. introduction and results only
d. method, introduction, results, discussion
- Review articles, including meta-analyses, are:
a. reports of original research
b. false reports of true research
c. critical evaluations of material that has already been published
d. non-critical evaluations of non-material that hasn’t been published
e. some of the above
- Review articles perform the following functions:
a. define and clarify the problem
b. summarize previous investigations in order to inform the reader of the state of current research
c. do all the work that the reader should have done in the first place
d. identify relations, contradictions, gaps and inconsistencies in the literature
e. suggest the next step or steps in solving the problem
f. end up creating more problems than they solve
g. a, b, d, and e
h. a, b, c, and f
- T or F
Theoretical articles are papers in which new methodological approaches, modifications of existing methods, and discussion of quantitative and data analytic approaches are presented to the community of researchers. are papers in which the author draws on existing research literature to advance theory in any area of psychology.
- T or F
Methodological articles are papers in which the author draws on existing research literature to advance theory in any area of psychology.
- T or F
Case studies are papers in which the author describes case material obtained while working with an individual or organization to illustrate a problem, to indicate a means for solving a problem, or to shed light on needed research or theoretical matters.
- Confidentiality, in case studies, is generally handled by:
a. Preparing the descriptive case material, presenting it to the subject of the case report, and obtaining written consent for its publication from the subject.
b. Special handlers
c. Offering the subject money or other bribes
d. Disguising some aspects of the case material so that neither the subject nor those who know the subject would be identifiable
e. a and d
f. all except b and c
19. T or F
Personality may be defined as “The unique, relatively enduring internal and external aspects of a person’s character that influence behavior in different situations.
20. T or F
“The influence of cultural forces on personality is now widely recognized in psychology.”
21.
Race, in personality theories:
a. Influences how we perceive one another.
b. Influences the development of our personalities.
c. Has no relationship to personality development
d. a and b
e. All of the above, but none of the above at the same time
22. T or F
Most research that has been conducted in the area of personality, has taken place in African and South American countries.
23. T or F
“The best techniques of personality assessment adhere to the principles of reliability and validity.
24. T or F
Reliability refers to whether an assessment device measures what it is intended to measure.
25. T or F
Validity refers to the consistency of response to an assessment device.
26. Examples of validity are:
a. Does an intelligence test truly measure intelligence?
b. Does a test of anxiety actually evaluate anxiety?
c. Does x equal y given that x+y-z=p?
d. Do couples who argue live longer than kangaroos in
e. a and d
f. a and c
g. a and b
h. h and z
a. predictive validity
b. correlational validity
c. content validity
d. construct validity
e. constructive validity
f. a and b
g. a, c, d, and e
h. a, e, i, o, u and sometimes y
i. a, c, d, and e
28. The most important kind of validity is predictive validity.
29. T or F
To determine content validity, psychologists evaluate each item to see if it relates to what the test is supposed to measure.
30. Methods of assessment of personality include:
a. self-report or objective inventories
b. projective techniques
c. injective techniques
d. infectious techniques
e. clinical interviews
f. un-clinical, non-interviews
g. behavioral assessment procedures
h. thought- and experience-sampling procedures
i. a, b, g and h
j. a on occasion, b all the time, and c none of the time or all of the time, depending on the time of day
31. Examples of Self-Report Inventories include:
a. The HEMP: Harry’s Empirical Marijuana Post-test
b. The MMPI
c.
d. The Rorscach inkblot technique
e. All of the above except e
f. THE ZOMBIE: Zondervan’s Organic Measure of Behavior Inventory Evaluations
g. The COMA: Carly’s Organic Measure of Assessment
h. b and c
32. T or F
Idiographic research is the study of the statistical differences among large groups of subjects
33. T or F
Monolithic research is the intensive study of a relatively small number of subjects using a variety of assessment techniques.
34. T or F
A case study is a detailed history of an individual that contains data from a variety of sources.
35. T or F
An independent variable in an experiment, is the stimulus variable, or condition the experimenter manipulates to learn its effect on the dependent variable. If it were dealing with humans instead of variables, the independent person would be the last person likely to be manipulated by others.
36. T or F
The dependent variable, in an experiment, is the variable that the experimenter desires to measure, typically the subjects’ behavior or response to manipulation of the independent variable.
37. T or F
In an experiment, the experimental group is the group that is exposed to the experimental treatment.
38. T or F
In an experiment, the control group is the one that does not receive the experimental treatment.
39. In the correlational method, researches investigate:
a. the relationships that exist among variables
Categories: Dr BLT songs
Tags: songs for students academic music songs integrating course content
After watching the movie AI, and listening to the songs "Bring Me to Life" and "The Logical Song", there are a few things that came to my mind as missing from the psychology of science and scientific research. Other people may notice different things, and I may be wrong, but it seems that science and experimentation deal in things that are definite and solid, with no room for human variation. For example, even though the scientists made David able to "love," he was still a robot and only capable of the reasoning that was pre-programmed into the computer of his so-called brain. He became obsessive of his new mother, and although he tried to do the right things, even when tempted by his brother to do wrong, there were things - dangerous things - that he did to others without even realizing they were wrong. In the songs too, it seems that the theme is that just because things are logical, statistical, responsible does not always make them right. You can not duplicate or even explain human emotion and the variables it can and does create, even in the world of science, research, and experimentation.
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In all three instances it appears that the message is a cry for help from who ever could assist them. In the movie Artificial Intelligence the robot boy wanted to express his love to the woman who was supposed to be his mother, but most of all he wanted to experience someone who loved him back. It seemed he had a strong desire to be loved by the person who first made contact with him. He felt the only way he could be accepted is by becoming a real boy. I believe it is important for health care professionals to assist client with becoming comfortable with themselves. It is important to help people realize they don’t have to become someone else in order for people to like or love them. The boy needed someone in his life who could provide unconditional love to him, which meant they would accept him for who he is as a person. The two songs provided insight to research is not always the undisputed true because research does get to know the person as an individual. Research only compares people to how others scored on a particular research assignment. The song “Bring me to Life” encouraged people not to try and figure out his life by chance, but assist me to be able to function appropriately in the community. It appears the song writer illustrated an individual crying out to be saved through instruction. The psychology field could be improved by providing client a caring environment where client could feel safe when they can into therapy. I believe active listening is important for therapist to provide to client because therapy is not all about giving advised. Some people come to therapy to heard by a therapist, which being heard to could be beneficial because it allows client to get out all of their emotional distresses. Lastly, I believe therapist should assist clients with figuring out who they are as a person. Health care professionals need help the client feel comfortable with being themselves by instructing them how they could express their true selves in an appropriate matter.
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After watching the movie Artificial Intelligence one main point stood out throughout the whole movie. That point the author or director wanted to impress upon the audience that love holds no bounds. Even though David was not a person and was created in the image of a lost son by a Father who loved the boy and could not bear to lose him. He created a thinking machine that was capable of love and other emotions. Is a machine that is capable of logic and emotions an individual? Does this not identify what homo-sapiens are? So David being a thinking machine was what he wanted the most to be a little boy. Love is essential to all living beings whether they are biological or not. Like Data in the Sci-Fi series Star Trek the Next Generation was a created intelligence that sought to have human emotions, so much so that he created a chip that could replicate those emotions.
What about research into "building" a cyborg (half man / half machine)? Is love and hate the two basic emotions that man want to install into this creation and to be able to think independently depending on the situation that the creation is in at the time? In the therapy field it is not just about giving suggestions to our clients but to actually stop and listen to what is heard and what is not heard by our clients. Empathy I believe is a form of love in that one cares for anothers well-being. This is one of the most critical issues that must be addressed by the therapist. Without this the therapist will be ineffective to the client and to their needs.
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this is wonderful thanks
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Scientific research is just that… it is a technical examination of an issue or problem. The difficulty in dealing with a technical examination is that it is only as deep as its measured outcome. The outcome of course can be elaborated on and applied to different ideas, but it leaves no room for variation or independent consideration.
In the movie AI, the manufacturers attempt to make the most “human like” robot possible. It was a great advancement when they created “David,” because the robot was able to exhibit certain aspects of actual human feeling. The problem, however, lies in the fact that Davis was still a machine and his ability to feel and respond to human interaction was limited by what he was programmed to realize. David, much like scientific research, was not able to go beyond the limitations set forth by his manufacturer or in the case of research, the experimenter.
Dr. BLT’s songs “Bring Me 2 Life” and “Logical Song,” further illustrate the disturbance between statistical scientific methodology and the desire to have that “real life” feeling.
Scientific research is important because we need to know the hard core numbers side of things. But equally, if not more important, is the aspect of the research that applies it to what actually happens in the human condition.
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I felt it was a bitter sweet ending in A.I. I think as far as the goal was to make David a human, he was almost there. They gave him capabilities similar to a child with some cognitive and social deficits. Now as a moral question i am not sure if that would give him rights of life and others "protections" that humans should have, but clearly it would be very indicative of supposed real "humans" to be cruel to David or others like him; it would show how pathological they are for even if there is not moral value given to David or others like our human heart (mind) should process in a way that would obligate use to show respect and some sort of care to life in whatever form it may come that may not necessarily be human. Now as far as the songs heard, the gap that is show cased is that research can sometimes forget the point. It becomes fixated on numbers, graphs, method, but can forget the human element. In studying people researchers can not forget to keep they mind oriented on the human element and that it is not all artificial but real and possibility very impactful. there is a scientific method and ways to go about research sometimes it is good to look up every once in a while and see the person in front of you.
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It is my observation after seeing the movie and listening to both songs, that although things are layed out to be perfect in some ways; they lack and are flawed at others. These imperfections come to life in different stages of our lives, sometimes when we perceive things to be at our best. Thus creating fear and doubt of what is real or not, an internal struggle of self motivation to continue on living; when all is gone. The belief that we have the capacity to be great and have high expectations for ourselves, as well as the understanding that this too can be gone. Taken by self defeat and self interpretation and misjudgment of oneself. The message I draw is that although things are mapped out or written out a certain way; these don't apply congruently to fit everyone. Clients problems need to be looked upon,explored and dealt with the best methods and theories. As we know theories should not be applied as written;rather be made and customized to fit our client's needs with best interest in mind.
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As my fellow students from National have written on the songs and movies, I have to agree with them.
The songs written and remixed by Dr. BLT seem to be on tract as they are integrated with the material we have covered in class.” Bring me to Life” can be related to not just to the movie “AI” but it can be also related to our potential clients that might come to seek our help in our profession. Can it be that they feel dead inside as they have had such a traumatic childhood experiences that they feel that way. That now they realize that they need help and want the help to bring them to life. But as therapist we need to ensure we can provide them with the standard of care that they need and not make them just a statistic on our books. The second song “super tramp” remix also seems to be exactly what the character David in the movie “AI” was trying to achieve. Him getting his signals mixed and the expectations from all of the people in the movie. The adults all wanted and needed him to be multifaceted individual to meet their needs, not ever thinking of him and what he really wanted. I think as parents and adults we peg our children and some individuals into certain stereotypes or classifications and we expect them to be that. This we do either unconsciously or even consciously and we expect them to be that, in order to make us happy. This is where as therapist we need to be aware of our transference and or counter-transference of our feelings as well as our clients. Especially we are treating the children, because the parents will want us to fix their child as it was a broken toy but possibly it is the parent whom is broken instead.
The movie always make me cry. I think because the character David is like any and all children whom is searching for love, acceptance, and will almost go to any depths to achieve that goal. The sad part is that for some children to achieve that goal it will never becomes a reality, and yet for some when they do reach that goal ”acceptance by the adult “ it may have cost them their life.
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