The Mozart Effect
A Psychological Research Methods Case
Author(s)
http://sciencecases.lib.buffalo.edu/collection/detail.html?case_id=230&id=230Psychology Department
Spring Hill College
lhager@shc.edu
Abstract
In this case study, students are given information regarding an advertisement claiming that listening to the classical music in the advertised CD set will enhance a person’s cognitive skills and creativity. Students evaluate the claims and the evidence cited to support them, and then determine how they themselves might independently verify the claims. The case combines several approaches, including a directed case approach with the use of journal articles combined with lecture, individual assignments, and small group work. It was developed for a research methods course in psychology.
Objectives
- Identify and critically evaluate the claims being made in an advertisement.
- Determine how to independently verify the claims.
- Compare and contrast a scientific approach with a non-scientific approach.
- Design and evaluate an experiment to test the claims.
- Read and analyze the components of scientific reports investigating a phenomenon similar to the one described in the ad.
- Consider whether one can rely on advertised claims.
Keywords
Research methods; experimental design; repeated measures design; within-subjects design; principle of falsifiability; operational definition; independent variable; dependent variable; control procedure; classical music; MozartEducational Level
High school, Undergraduate lower division, Undergraduate upper divisionFormat
PDFType Methods
Interrupted, Directed, Journal ArticleLanguage
EnglishSubject Headings
Psychology
Date Posted
03/16/04Teaching Notes
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Answer Key
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