Evaluation Of Myers And Diener Flashcards
What are the three evaluation points for methodology and procedures ?
- self report
- correlation
- samples
Self report
S- a weakness of M&D was that some data regarding SWB was collected through self report techniques e.g. questionnaires and interviews
E- data collected about SWB is subjective. It may be that participants don’t tell the truth because on questionnaires, people often provide socially desirable answers because they want to appear good.
E- this suggests that a lot of reassignments which influences Myers and Dieners findings is at risk of being subjective or invalid
C- however, when friends were asked to rate happiness scores of individuals these scores correlated with each other which confirms the validity of the other answers
W- this is a weakness because it is difficult to achieve accurate information regarding happiness and SWB, as a method of collecting this data risks being biased.
Correlations
S- another weakness is that many findings are correlational, meaning that it’s difficult to establish a cause and effect as there may be intervening variables.
E- for example Myers and Diener the link between marriage and happiness may be due to other things in a marriage rather than the relationship
E- this means we cannot assume that a particular factor is a cause of happiness there hasn’t been an established cause and effect for the relationship.
W- this is a weakness because it is difficult to understand the true nature of the findings as it is suggested that happiness is linked to particular factors but not explicitly caused by them
Sample
S- one weakness of the study is that it can’t be generalisable because of its sample.
E- for example, a lot of the data is based on western samples as the researchers are American and have conducted much of their research in the USA.
E- this suggests that the roots of happiness may differ amongst different cultures and countries
W- this is therefore a weakness because it can’t be applied to other cultures
Genetics
S- a strength of this study there is supporting evidence that shows that happiness is not bound or restricted to genetics
E- for example research argues that happiness is 50% due to genetics and 10% due to circumstances. The remaining 40% is caused by self control.
E - this suggests and supports Myers and Dieners in the fact that individuals have a massive influence over their happiness and that everyone has a chance of achieving it
W- this is a strength because it doesn’t tie people down and allows people not to be victims of their biology as well as suggesting that there’s hope of happiness for everyone.
Self report
S- a weakness of M&D was that some data regarding SWB was collected through self report techniques e.g. questionnaires and interviews
E- data collected about SWB is subjective. It may be that participants don’t tell the truth because on questionnaires, people often provide socially desirable answers because they want to appear good.
E- this suggests that a lot of reassignments which influences Myers and Dieners findings is at risk of being subjective or invalid
C- however, when friends were asked to rate happiness scores of individuals these scores correlated with each other which confirms the validity of the other answers
W- this is a weakness because it is difficult to achieve accurate information regarding happiness and SWB, as a method of collecting this data risks being biased.
Correlation
S- another weakness is that many findings are correlational, meaning that it’s difficult to establish a cause and effect as there may be intervening variables.
E- for example Myers and Diener the link between marriage and happiness may be due to other things in a marriage rather than the relationship
E- this means we cannot assume that a particular factor is a cause of happiness there hasn’t been an established cause and effect for the relationship.
W- this is a weakness because it is difficult to understand the true nature of the findings as it is suggested that happiness is linked to particular factors but not explicitly caused by them
What are the three evaluation points for findings and conclusions?
- genetics
- self report
- correlations
What are the evaluation points of the social and ethical implications
- low risk of psychological harm
- privacy
- socially sensitive research
Low risk of psychological harm
S- a weakness of this study is that there was still a chance of risk of psychological harm through the use of self reporting
E- for example, being asked to rate your own happiness may cause unwanted psychological harm to the participants or bring up painful thoughts and feelings.
E-this suggests that not only will the participants feel bad but it suggest that the findings has been obtained by someone emotionally unstable.
W- this is therefore a weakness as it is a psychologist duty (according to the ethical guidelines) to practice within boundaries of their competence and take care of the participants
Privacy
S-one weakness of this study is that it invades the privacy of the individual
E- for example pts wore beepers that alerted them at random intervals and would record their mental and emotional state
E- this suggests that at certain times, the participant may be engaged in an activity that they don’t want the researcher to know therefore damaging their dignity
W - this is therefore a weakness as there’s a risk of causing the participants great stress and paranoia of researchers knowing their every current emotion
Socially sensitive research
A social implication of this study is that the research draws conclusions about the happiness of particular cultural groups.
E- for example, in the findings ‘is happiness related to race or culture?’ Ingleharts findings suggest that in Portugal, 10% of people reported that they were happy compared with the 40% in the Netherlands.
E- this means that the findings of the research could lead to negative outlooks on particular groups within society.
W- this is a weakness because socially sensitive research could lead to these groups feeling vulnerable as well as fuel discrimination
