Psychological Research and the Economy Flashcards
How does the economy relate to psychology?
Psychology creates practical applications used in everyday life for the betterment of society.
This occurs through conducting research that allows psychology to form such practical applications. Therefore research contributions to the economy in a substantial way e.g. development of effective therapies.
What is economy?
Production, distribution, consumption of goods and services, and the supply of money within the state or region.
Research figures suggest that what percentage of people will spend time in a mental institute? How many will receive treatment for mental health problems?
Research figures suggest that 10% of people will spend time in a mental institution and 1 in 3 will receive treatment for mental health problems.
How do effective therapies benefit the economy?
Effective therapies, developed through research make huge savings in financial cost.
Outline Koran et al’s study from 2000.
Studied the atypical anti-psychotic drug olanzapine, and found that when the drug was combined with the serotonin re-uptake inhibitor fluoxetine it had positive effect upon resistant forms of OCD.
Less research now has to be conducted towards those who suffer from resistant forms of OCD, thus saving psychological research money.
However, it could also be arguable that now Koran et al has found such a positive effect - further research must also be conducted.
This means more money spent.
What are the 3 Things to consider when answering economic implication questions?
Who will benefit from this research e.g. companies, employees - how?
What will this mean for society?
Can this research be used in a wider setting? If so how will it influence the economy?
Outline Bowlby’s WHO report from the 1950s and how this effected the economy.
(Bowlby)
Bowlby’s WHO report in the 1950s was taken to suggest that babies needed constant care of the mother for healthy psychological development.
This led to ‘stay at home’ mothering.
Later evidence showed that good substitute childcare can be completed by e.g. nurseries or by other family members.
This showed that the father does not have a detrimental effect on social development.
Mothers staying at home may be anxious to eventually leave.
SAHM results in a single source of income to the family. This means they have less money, and are not contributing to as strongly to society e.g. through tax paying.
Non-SAHM pay for the temporary upbringing of their child through nursery employments. This generates wages for babysitters and external carers, allowing them to also contribute economically. It also does not negatively affect their child.
State 3 reasons that people want to work.
Opportunity for control.
Availability of money.
Opportunity for skills use.
Work demands.
Variety.
Physical security.
Opportunity for interpersonal contact.
Environmental clarity.
Valued social position.
Outline positive wellbeing at work.
People want to work - more money, more efficient, eventual tax.
People may tell others about their job - further opportunities for employment, more tax, valued social position.
Many researcher see the role of the father as what?
(Role of the father)
Less as a caregiver, but more of an exciting playmate, as father’s play is often more physical, unpredictable, and exciting.
What did Lamb state in 1987?
(Role of the father)
States that fathers who become the main care providers seem able to quickly adapt to children’s needs and become a safe base.
How does the role of the father impact the economy?
(Role of the father)
Long term, the economy may not benefit as men are twice as likely to have managerial positions than women.
This means less income will be funnelled into the household, thus less tax paid within the economy.
This links to the gender pay gap, and although this is the case at the moment, positions of power for men and women are becoming more and more accessible and equal.
Psychologically healthy people are unlikely to incur costs upon what?
(Economic Implications)
Psychologically healthy people are unlikely to incur costs upon institutions e.g. prisons.
What must psychologists be aware of during research?
(Economic Implications)
Psychologists need to be aware of the ethical considerations come before profit and that psychology should not be used to exploit people.
Psychologists must also take care not to become divorced from the consequences of their research by being in the agentic state and not taking responsibility for their actions.
E.g. conducting research on drugs that is then misused by profiteering drug companies.
