week 16, post #2

The most interesting concept that I found throughout the course of the semester if that of group dynamics. I think the social integration to the group is extremely interesting and fragile process. Whether it is in a large group or small group, I think the size is also important. A small group should experience greater socializing factors, than a large group. In a large group there is an aspect of anonymity, of which someone would not be as integrated into a group. Communication wise, if you are not fully integrated into a group, than your communication will be reduced as well. Think about how much you would communicate with your friends, as compared with a large group in a classroom. You would communicate more with your friends than the other group of which you are affiliated.

week 16, post #1

Which of the research methods listed in Table 11.3 seem the most interesting? Assume you want to study some aspect of deception. Frame a research question. Which method would you choose to answer the question? Why?

I am a psychology major, and the scientific method is very important to me. The most important characteristic of scholarly research for me is being methodological. Having a solid method to research will assist in reducing confounds, which may lead to false or unsupported conclusions. Methods are also the area in which the most issues may occur and the research can go wrong. Methods must focus on the question the researchers wish to answer, and not solve every question in the world at that time. This is often where research goes in the wrong direction, and the research is unsuccessful.