Research and the economy

Question 1

What are the economic implications of research into the field of attachment?(mothers)

Answer 1

Bowlbys theory suggests that a continuous, warm and intimate relationship with a mother was essential for healthy development
e.g impact on employers as legislation has made paternity leave statutory
-Stimulating more work for nursery carers(using keyworker system) boosting the economy in this area

Question 2

What are the economic implications of research into the field of attachment(father)?

Answer 2

-Research into the role of the father has show that fathers can be as important as mothers in the healthy development of their children
e.g impact on employees-they have to fund paternity leave.

Question 3

What are the economic implications of research into the field of psychopathology?

Answer 3

-Approximately 1in 3 individuals will recieve treatment for mental health problems during your life span and 10% of people will spend time in an insititution
effective therapies can therefore have economic implications
e.g increased funding needed in NHS to offer treatments but potentially cost effective in the longer term if treatments are effective as less people return for subsequent treatment

Question 4

What are the economic implications of research into memory?

Answer 4

Research into eye witness testimony has helped to enhance the quality of the information gathered from the eyewitnesses which can have economic implications in the field of police work
-police work may become more cost effective as less time may be taken to close a case (due to high quality information obtained)
However could be more expensive to train police officers in the cognitive interview

Question 5

What is the evidence into economic implications into the field of psychopathology?

Answer 5

Koren at al(2000)
-Found that when the atypical drug olanzapine was combined with the SSRI fluoextine, it has a positive effect on upon resistant forms of OCD.
-beneficial effect on the economy as suffers of OCD can return to work, pay taxes and not incur long term financial costs upon the health service

Question 6

What are the economic implications of research into the field of memory-biorhythms?

Answer 6

-Helped psychologists understand how desynchrony of our circadian rhythms can influence cognitive refunctioning
-Led to potential economic implications for the productivity of employees which have shift work roles
-e.g the use of light boxes or phase delay shift pattern rotations can make employees more alert and more productive during their shifts, benefitting the profits of the organisation.

Question 7

What are the strengths of economic implications?

Answer 7

-Great deal of evidence/examples to demonstrate how psychological research has positively impacted upon the economy

Question 8

What are the limitations of economic implications?

Answer 8

-Despite a focus on societies economy
psychologists need to be remain aware of the ethical considerations for individuals are of primary importance and psychology should not be used in a manipulative way to exploit people for profit
-Can have negative consequences

-must also take responsibility for their actions e.g if conducting research into psychoactive drugs that are then used in a harmful way by profiteering drug companies, psychologists can not distance themselves from the initial research and how it was used.