Chapter 3 The Research Endeavor

1. Chapter 3 The Research Endeavor

2. Case Studies • Detailed histories of individuals who have suffered some form of psychological disorder. • Case studies have been used for centuries as a way of trying to understand the experiences of single individuals and to make more general inferences about the sources of psychopathology.

3. Correlational Studies

4. A Zero Correlation High Dependent variable Low Low High Independent variable

5. A Moderate Correlation High Dependent variable Low Low High Independent variable

6. Evaluating Correlational Studies External validity-the extent to which the results can be generalized to real life Disadvantages-cause vs. consequence (e.g., PTSD & drug use), timing, third variable problem Advantages- reflect real world problems

7. Experimental Studies • Allows control and thus a high degree of internal validity. • Analogue = laboratory equates a real-life situation. • Analogue may refer to participants or the laboratory setting.

8. Advantages Researcher has more control over variables. Participants can be randomly assigned to groups. Appropriate control groups can be created to rule out alternative explanations of important findings. Disadvantages Results may not generalize to outside the laboratory. There are ethical limitations. Evaluating Human Laboratory Studies

9. Therapy Outcome Studies • Stages of treatment development: • Better than nothing? (wait-list control) • Better than treatment as usual? • Better than other empirically supported treatments? • What is the active ingredient of the treatment (dismantling studies)? • Efficacy vs. Effectiveness