September 1: Statistics

In-Class Activities:

1) Neuron Note: You wrote one last Neuron Note before the test and you read the answers to last class' questions.

2) I collected the Psych Sim: Statistics assignment.

3) I also gave you one more experiment to identify the hypothesis, IV, DV, experimental group, control group. If you are still having trouble with this, talk to me or your study buddy before the test!

4) Sample Size Matters. Each of you got a sample of M&Ms. You calculated the percentage of each color of your M&Ms sample. Is it representative of the entire population of M&Ms' colors? No. So we calculated the entire class' M&M sample. Was it representative of the entire population of M&Ms? No. But it made the point of sampling and it tasted good.

Here is the distribution of colors:
13% Brown, 14% Yellow, 20% Orange, 13% Red, 16%Green, 24% Blue

For more M&Ms info, visit: http://us.mms.com/us/

5) Central Tendency and Height. You all became "data" and we organized ourselves into a dichotomy, trichotomy, continuum, range, and histogram with mean, median, mode.

6) Standard Deviation Notes. We went step-by-step through the calculations of standard deviation using the example of punting distances. I explained the Normal Curve and its key percentages: 68%, 95%, 99.7%

7) Correlation Coefficient Notes. You do not need to know how to calculate it, but you do need to know what it means. There are two major questions to ask: Is it positive or negative? What is the strength? We went through examples and I encouraged you to find more in your life.

8) We tried out the new video series, "Inside Out" with the episode called "Endless Questions." It is a good summary for chapter 1.



Assignments:

1) Finish Chapter 1

2) Study for the first big test on Thursday. 100 Multiple Choice Questions in 70 Minutes. Get together with your study buddy. Review flashcards. Re-read the sections that were confusing. Send a message me. Good Luck! Remember to overlearn!

3) Placebo Effect Extra Credit DVD at lunch if you are interested...