PSYC 142: Chapter 3

Question 1

A Scientific Approach

Answer 1

• Requires that a claim be based on theories backed up by empirical evidence from well-designed studies before conclusions are drawn
• Is especially important in abnormal child psychology

Question 2

Reasons for skepticism about research in abnormal child psychology

Answer 2

• Experts frequently disagree
• Studies appearing in mainstream media are oversimplified
• Findings often conflict with one another
• Research has led to different treatments: some have been helpful; some have had no effect, and some have been harmful

Question 3

Pseudoscience

Answer 3

A collection of beliefs or practices mistakenly regarded as being based on the scientific method.

Question 4

Research in abnormal child psychology is a multistage process

Answer 4

1. Developing a hypothesis on the basis of observation, theory, and previous findings
2. Identifying the sample to be studied, selecting measurement methods, and developing research design and procedures
3. Gathering and analyzing the data and interpreting the results

Question 5

Incidence rates

Answer 5

The extent to which new cases of a disorder appear over a specified time period

Question 6

Prevalence rates

Answer 6

All cases (new and existing) observed during a specified time period

Question 7

Correlates

Answer 7

Variables associated at a particular point in time

• No clear proof that one precedes the other.
• No cause and effect relationship.

Question 8

Positive Correlation:

Answer 8

Both variables move in the same direction.

Question 9

Negative correlation

Answer 9

The two variables move in the opposite direction

Question 10

Moderating variables

Answer 10

Influence the direction or strength of the relationship of variables of interest

Question 11

Mediating variables

Answer 11

Impact the process, mechanism, or means through which a variable produces a particular outcome

Question 12

Treatment efficacy(ability)

Answer 12

Whether treatment can produce changes under well-controlled (research) conditions

Question 13

Treatment effectiveness

Answer 13

Whether the treatment can be shown to work in clinical practice

Question 14

Reliability

Answer 14

• The consistency or repeatability of results
• The degree to which a measurement obtained using the same technique is consistent, for example, overtime or across assessors

Question 15

Validity

Answer 15

• Whether the measured test of what is supposed to measure.

- The degree to which a technique measures what it is designed to measure

Question 16

Face validity

Answer 16

The extent to which a measure appears to assess the construct of interest

Question 17

Construct validity

Answer 17

Whether scores on a measure behave as predicted

Question 18

Measurement Methods

Answer 18

• Interviews
• Questionnaires
• Checklists and rating scales
• Psychophysiological recordings
• Brain imaging
• Performance measures
• Direct observations of behavior
• Intellectual, academic, and neuropsychological tests

Question 19

Comorbidity

Answer 19

The simultaneous occurrence of two or more disorders

Question 20

Longitudinal

Answer 20

One group of participants over time.

Question 21

Cross-Sectional

Answer 21

Bunch group of participants right now

Question 22

Case Study

Answer 22

Involves an intensive, anecdotal, observation and analysis of an individual child
Not a good testing method ( unscientific & flawed)