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Psychology: Biological approach > Research Methods > Flashcards

Research Methods Flashcards

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1
Q

Correlational research

What is the purpose of correlational research

A

Measures a relationship between 2 co-variables and determines the strength of that relationship

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2
Q

Correlational research

What are the 2 types of correlation

A

Positive correlation = as 1 variable goes up, the other one also goes up

Negative correlation = as 1 variable goes up, the other goes down

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3
Q

Correlational research

Advantage of using this method

A

Method of looking at relationships between continuous variables and determening the significance of the relationship.

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4
Q

Correlational research

Weakness of this method

A

Cannot show cause and affect as there is no IV that has been altered.

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5
Q

Correlational research

What graph is used in correlation to show relationship

A

Scatter diagram - the data must be have a linear order

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6
Q

Brain scanning techniques

What are the 3 brain scanning techniques in the biological approach

A

CAT scan
PET scan
fMRI scan

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7
Q

Brain scanning techniques: CAT scan

How does a CAT scan work

A

X-rays and a computer are used to create detailed images of the inside of the brain.

Each image is a cross section of the persons brain, all slices are put together to make the final image

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8
Q

Brain scanning techniques: CAT scan

Advantages of CAT scan

A

Useful in revealing abnormal structures in the brain with high quality images.

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9
Q

Brain scanning techniques: CAT scan

Disadvanatges of CAT scan

A

Only give structural information and do not provide information about the activity of the brain

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10
Q

Brain scanning techniques: PET scan

How does it work

A

Measures metabolic activity in the brain using a glucose tracer that is injected in the participants which is detected by scanner.

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11
Q

Brain scanning techniques: PET scan

Advantages

A

Provide evidence about which location of the brain is responsible for what function

example: parts of the brain used in solving a puzzle can be identified

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12
Q

Brain scanning techniques: PET scan

Disadvantages

A

Sometimes the results are dificult to interpret as different brain activity can be shown in diffenrent people doing the same task

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13
Q

Brain scanning techniques: fMRI scan

How does it work

A

Uses radio waves to measure blood oxygen levels in the brain, areas of the brain most active have the highest levels of oxygen

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14
Q

Brain scanning techniques: fMRI scan

Advantages

A

fMRI scans do not use radiation and so it is completely safe method to study the brain

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15
Q

Brain scanning techniques: fMRI scan

Disadvantage

A

Only works if the brain stays perfectly still, this can cause problems in some people. Limits use of fMRI to some kind of research

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16
Q

Twin and Adoption studies

Describe twin studies

A

Twins are compared on a specific behaviour to see how similar they are

If behaviour is entirely genetic, concordance rates = 100%

If behaviour is more environmental than genetic, MZ twins would show higher concordance rates than DZ twins

17
Q

Twin and Adoption studies

Advantages of twin studies

A

Enables researchers to investigate the influence of genes on a behaviour because it’s assumed MZ and DZ twins share sma environment

Information for twin studies are taken from twin registries. These hold data on thousands of twins and contain information about many variables

18
Q

Twin and Adoption studies

Disadvanatges of twin studies

A

Twin studies may overestimate genetic influence. MZ twins usually have more similar environments than DZ twins as they are treated more similarly and spend more time with eachother

19
Q

Twin and Adoption studies

Describe adoption studies

A

Genetic factors are implicated if child is more like biological parent (share gene) than adoptive parent (share environment).

Environmental factors are implicated if reverse is true.

20
Q

Twin and Adoption studies

Advantages of adoption studies

A

Adoption studies have the advantage of removing the extraneous variable of the environment. If MZ twins are similar, it could be to do with the environment or genetics. In adoption studies it’s either the genetics or environment

21
Q

Twin and Adoption studies

Disadvantages of adoption studies

A

Families who adopt tend to be better educated and have lower rates of mental illness. So any conclusion drawn on the affect of genes on these factors aren’t representative

22
Q

Twin and Adoption studies

Example of twin study

A

Gottesman and Shields (1966) looked at 57 pairs of twins where atleast 1 had a diagnosis of schizophrenia

23
Q

Twin and Adoption studies

Twin study: Gottesman and Shield (1966), how did they determine Zygosity

A

Looking at blood samples from both twins, so they could identify MZ and DZ twin pars

24
Q

Twin and Adoption studies

Twin study: Gottesman and Shields (1966), sampling technique

A

Opportunity sampling

25
Q

Twin and Adoption studies

Twin study: Gottesman and Shield (1966), what did they find

A

Where atleast 1 twin in MZ twins had been diagnosed with schizophrenia, the other twin was 42x more likely to develop schizophrenia

In same sex DZ twins, the other twin was 9x more likely

26
Q

Twin and Adoption studies

Example of an adoption study

A

Tienari et al (1994) - Finnish Adoptive Family study also looking at schizophrenia

27
Q

Twin and Adoption studies

Tienari et al (1994) findings

A

Adopted children whos biological mothers had schizophrenia had 9.4% risk of developing it

Corresponding figure for adopted away children of unaffected biological parents was 1.2%

28
Q

Twin and Adoption studies

Adoption study: Tienari et al (1994), what did the findings show

A

Strongly suggests that genetic influneces have an important role in schizophrenia

Psychology: Biological approach (12 decks)

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