Chapter 2

Question 1

Clinical Researchers

Answer 1

or clinical scientists, try to discover universal laws, or principles, of abnormal psychological functioning utilizing the scientific method

Question 2

3 Methods of Investigation

Answer 2

Case Studies, Correlation Method, or Experimental Method

Question 3

Case Study

Answer 3

Is a detailed description of a person’s life and problems.
Pros: This allows for a source of new ideas and provides support or challenge to a theory
Cons: Bias, low internal validity b/c of subjective evidence, and not generalizable (low external validity)

Question 4

Correlation Method

Answer 4

Involves multiple people/subjects, has a way to apply the procedure uniformly, easily replicable, and uses statistical analysis. The sample must represent the larger population. Correlation can be shown by a line of best (positive, negative, and no correlation). The coefficient of variation/ correlation coefficient (r) shows how strong a correlation is. You want this as close to +1 or -1 as possible
Pros: High external validity, replicable
Cons: Low internal validity, results show but do not explain relationships

Question 5

Experimental Method

Answer 5

A variable is changed causing the change of another variable. A researcher must eliminate all confounds (variables other than the IV). Ways to eliminate confounds are random assignment, control group, and a masked design.

Question 6

Matched Design

Answer 6

1. Because it would be unethical to assign participants to an experimental manipulation, such as trauma or abuse, that is hypothesized to lead to a disorder, researchers will use pre-existing groups of participants.
2. To address the problem of confounds, researchers use matched control groups.
3. These groups are “matched” to the experimental group based on demographic and other variables.

Question 7

Natural Experiments

Answer 7

1. In natural experiments, nature manipulates the independent variable and the experimenter observes the effects, such as observing the psychological impact of an enforced quarantine.
2. Natural experiments cannot be replicated at will, and broad generalizations cannot be made.

Question 8

Analogue Experiments

Answer 8

1. Analogue experiments allow investigators to manipulate independent variables while avoiding ethical and practical limitations.
2. They induce laboratory subjects to behave in ways that seem to resemble real life.
3. The major limitation of all analogue research is that experimenters can never be certain that the phenomena observed in the lab are the same as the psychological disorders being investigated.

Question 9

Single-Case Experiments

Answer 9

1. In a single-case experiment, a single participant is observed both before and after manipulation of an independent variable. Example – ABAB or reversal design.
2. Similar to individual case studies but has higher internal validity due to the manipulation of an independent variable.

Question 10

Longitudinal Studies

Answer 10

1. In this design, researchers observe the same group of individuals on many occasions over a long period of time which allows them to make inferences about causal factors.

Question 11

Epidemiological Studies

Answer 11

1. Focus on incidence and prevalence of a disorder in a particular population.
   a. Incidence = Number of new cases that emerge in a given period of time
   b. Prevalence = Total number of cases in a given period of time

Question 12

IRB

Answer 12

The institutional review board (IRB) protects humans’ rights in experiments, there are a lot of rules and regulations.