Evaluation Of Classic Research Flashcards
What is a strength of the methodology of W+R’s study (standardised procedure)?
Each observation followed set structure, recorded in detail, control condition, increases internal validity. Eg- use of wooden blocks.
What is a weakness of the methodology of W+R’s study (artificial environment/task)?
Study took place in a contrived environment where Albert was introduced to a stimuli in an unnatural way (part took place in a lecture hall - learn phobia in lecture hall????). As the observation was so controlled it may have sped up the process of learning a phobia, in reality it may be slower to learn. Lacks ecological validity.
What is a weakness of the methodology of W+R’s research (sample)?
They only studied 1 child, behaviour may not be representative of how others react/be conditioned, therefore a lack of external/population validity.
What is a strength/weakness of the ethics of W+R’s study (protection from harm)?
They conditioned a baby to feel fear when faced with a rat. May have caused psychological harm in future/outside the study. However, they stated that the harm Albert came to wasn’t any more than what he would experience outside the ‘rough and tumble of the home’.
What is a strength/weakness of the ethics of W+R’s study (confidentiality)?
Albert was known as Albert B to hide his identity however a code or number could have been better at hiding his identity properly.
What is a strength/weakness of the ethics of W+R’s study (right to withdraw)?
Albert showed signs of distress during the study like crawling away, crying and falling over. Even though he is too young to express his right to withdraw, his behaviour suggested that he wanted to leave. However his mother withdrew him from the study when she found out what was happening.
What is a positive social implication of W+R’s study (education)?
Classical conditioning techniques are used to improve learning. Le Francois suggested that by maximising pleasant stimuli in the classroom and minimising unpleasant stimuli, students will create a positive association with their environment. Students would create more positive feelings about their working environment so their academic performance will improve.
What is a positive social implication of W+R’s study (advertising)?
Advertising using music takes advantage of classical conditioning. Music that is happy/repetitive helps consumers feel happy when they hear it. Consumers then associate the feelings of happiness with the product and will be more likely to buy the product. Certain products are associated with different times of day eg, coffee in the morning/alcohol at night.
What is a positive social implication of W+R’s study (MH treatment)?
Research suggests that systematic desensitisation is the most effective therapy for treating phobias and is based on Watson’s principle of classical conditioning. Eg, conditioned response changes after therapy. Phobic response becomes associated with relaxation so the og response is counter-conditioned.
What is a strength/weakness of the methodology of Raine’s study (quasi).
Naturally occurring (NGRI) allows study of something we can’t manipulate. However, we have less control as we don’t have the full history of each p so cannot say that violence is caused by brain activity alone.
What is a strength/weakness of the methodology of Raine’s study (PET scan)?
Allowed brain to be examined - not possible before. We can see differences in brain activity in comparison to controls. However, the use of radioactive tracer makes it difficult to replicate with the same ps as the radioactivity causes damage.
What is a strength/weakness of the methodology of Raine’s study (sample)?
82 ps - not big but good for the type of research. NGRI murderers - not representative of all types of violent crime. Lacks population validity.
What is a weakness of the ethics of Raine’s study (consent)?
Can NGRI murderers give valid consent, if they are not of sound mind?
What is a weakness of the ethics of Raine’s study (protection from harm)?
The prisoners were kept from medication for two weeks, prior to the study, which may have had an effect on the ps, physical or psychological health.
What is a strength of the ethics of Raine’s study (privacy)?
The names of the participants were not revealed in the study.
What is a negative social implication of Raine’s study (responsibility)?
It could remove responsibility of actions - ‘diminished responsibility’ - blame brain for criminal actions.
What is a positive social implication of Raine’s study (preventative technique)?
It could be useful for preventative/diagnostic technique to identify possible violence in the future and treat it.
What’s a negative social implication of Raine’s study (stigma)?
It could lead to stigma or stereotypes of ‘all brain dysfunction leads to violent behaviour’.
What is a weakness of the methodology of Bowlby’s study (retrospective data)?
Mothers in the study were asked for detailed data about the child’s behaviour in the past, but this is a problem as it relies on the mother’s opinion and ability to recall events accurately. They may not be truthful or accurate and give a better description of the child to put themselves in a better light (social desirability). This means the internal validity is questioned as memory is subjective and unreliable.
What is a weakness of the methodology of Bowlby’s study (bias)?
The study was to support maternal deprivation, so Bobby may have interpreted qualitative data subjectively to support his study. so the study lacks validity
What is a strength of the methodology of Bowlby’s study (matched pairs)?
The experimental group and control group were matched by gender age and IQ using match pairs design. This reduces participant variables within the study.
What is a weakness of the ethics of Bowlby’s study (privacy)?
There was a lack of privacy. In research, questions shouldn’t be personal or sensitive. However, in this study interviews could be seen as an invasion of privacy as children and mothers were asked for detailed info about difficult childhood experiences. According to the BPS guidelines, interviews shouldn’t ask private/personal questions.
What is a weakness of the ethics of Bowlby’s study (confidentiality)?
In the study, the boys were named using their first name and their last name initial and the name of the clinic that they attended was named as well. Their personal data was also exposed, making it very easy for people to find the participants. To fix this pseudonym, could have been used to make it more ethical and more difficult for the participants to be found.
What is a strength/weakness of the ethics of Bolwby’s study (valid consent)?
The age range of participants was 5 to 17 years all under age, meaning they may not have been able to give valid, consent or know what the study was about. Therefore, the mothers had to give consent instead.
