Psychological Problems

Question 1

What was the aim of the Daniel et al case study?

Answer 1

to see the effect of amphetamines on prefrontal cortex activity during a cognitive task ( Wisconsin card sorting task)

Question 2

What was the sample of the Daniel ET al case study?

Answer 2

10 patients from a mental ward ( with chronic schizophrenia ) in the USA

Question 3

What was the design of the Daniel et al case study?

Answer 3

Repeated measures - on two different days the patient was given either the amphetamines or a placebo ( this switched on the second day to see the effect )

Question 4

How did the researchers measure the activity of the brain in the Daniel et al case study ?

Answer 4

By using SPECT scans - these can cause danger to patients, leading to ethical problems

Question 5

What was the independent variable in the Daniel et al case study?

Answer 5

Whether patients were given the amphetamine or not ( a chemical stimulant)

Question 6

What was the dependent variable in the Daniel et al case study?

Answer 6

How each patient performed on the cognitive task: WCST - Wisconsin card sorting task

Question 7

What did the researchers ensure in the Daniel et al case study?

Answer 7

Researchers ensured patients weren’t physically ill and ensured any symptoms were stabilised with drugs, as well as the participant isn’t on recreational drugs or alcohol

Question 8

What was a control variable in the Daniel et al case study?

Answer 8

All participants did a sensori-motor task which was a control task

Question 9

What were the findings in the Daniel et al case study?

Answer 9

There was a significant difference between the two conditions, those with amphetamine had increased prefrontal context activity erring cognitive task despite it reducing blood flow to the brain. This supports The idea that dopamine plays apart in the regulating and enhancing of contial activity. ( amphetamine stimulates dopamine activity)

Question 10

Limitations in the Daniel et al case study?

Answer 10

The sample was too small to be representative.
The task was 100 artificial, so it can’t represent real life.
The drug used to stabilise symptoms could be an extraneous variable.
The brain scans expose participants to radiation causing possible danger; leading to ethical concerns