issues and debates

Question 1

ethics

Answer 1

• issues diagnosing mental health disorders such as labelling
• obtaining consent for participation in research
• HCPC guidlines for practitoners

Question 2

Practical issues in the design and implementation of research:

Answer 2

e.g. quantitative v qualitative data, balancing validity with reliability.

Question 3

Reductionism:

Answer 3

in research where causes of mental disorders are isolated and diagnoses are not holistic
Comparisons between ways of explaining behaviour using different themes: ICD and DSM; different explanations for mental health issues.

Question 4

Psychology as a science:

Answer 4

in research that involves biological methods; in treatments such as drug therapies; in research that uses scientific research methods such as laboratory experiments.

Question 5

Culture:

Answer 5

cultural differences in diagnosis practices and gender featuring as a difference in frequency of a disorder.

Question 6

Nature-nurture:

Answer 6

different theories of what causes mental disorders, biological compared to social psychology.

Question 7

An understanding of how psychological understanding has developed over time:

Answer 7

DSM changes; changes in therapies; changing explanations for mental health issues.

Question 8

Issues of social control:

Answer 8

policies for the treatment and therapy for mental health issues can itself be seen as a form of social control.

Question 9

The use of psychological knowledge within society:

Answer 9

therapies and treatments for mental health issues.

Question 10

Socially sensitive research:

Answer 10

research in the area of mental health and cultural issues.