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Before carrying out their research, most psychologists will make a prediction about what will happen. This is known as a hypothesis, which is a statement regarding what the psychologist believes will or should happen at the end of the study. For example, a psychologist may predict that children who listen to music whilst revising will do better in their exams than those children who do not.
There are two types of hypotheses, which are null hypotheses and alternative hypotheses, both of which we will look at now in more detail.
What is a null hypothesis?
A null hypothesis predicts that there will be no pattern or trend in results. In other words, it predicts no difference and no correlation. (A correlation is a relationship between two or more things.)
Before starting their research, psychologists usually have both a null and an alternative hypothesis and their aim is to find out which one is correct. Once they have identified which one is correct they will reject the other, as this one will not be supported by their research findings.
What is an alternative hypothesis?
Unlike a null hypothesis, an alternative hypothesis predicts that there will be a difference or a correlation between two or more things. In other words, an alternative hypothesis predicts some kind of pattern or trend in results. Have a look at the following alternative hypotheses, which are based around the core studies within this course:
- Participants will be able to accurately recall more information at the start and end of a list than in the middle
- Children whose efforts are praised are more likely to grow up with a growth mindset than those who are praised personally
- Children are more likely to behave aggressively when they witnessed an aggressive adult role model
- Children under the age of eight are more likely to be egocentric than those who are over the age of eight.
It will help you in the exam, if you are asked to write some form of hypothesis, if you begin a null hypothesis with “there will be no…” and an alternative hypothesis with “there will be a…”. There are usually two marks available for writing a hypothesis correctly. One mark will be for knowing whether it is predicting a different or a correlation or not and the other mark will be for stating the rest of the hypothesis, i.e. the variables, which must be done in a clear and accurate way.
