What is the biopsychosocial approach?
Behaviour is explained by biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors.
What is an experimental research design?
Manipulates the independent variable to examine its effect on behaviour.
What are the advantages of experimental research design?
- High control
- Can establish cause and effect
- Replicable
What are the disadvantages of experimental research design?
- Can lack ecologicald validity (not generalised to real life)
- Ethical issues
- Artificial settings
What is an observational research design?
Collects data in a natural setting via observations or self-report.
What are the advantages of observational research design?
- High ecological validity
- Natural behaviour
- Useful when manipulation isn’t possible
What are the disadvantages of observational investigations?
- Lack of control
- Observer bias
- Cannot establish cause and effect
What is a qualitative observational research design?
Uses focus groups or Delphi technique to generate data.
What are the advantages of qualitative research design?
- Rich, detailed data
- Useful for exploring new areas
- Gives participant perspectives
What are the disadvantages of qualitative research design?
- Difficult to generalise
- May be subjective
- Harder to replicate
What elements must be included when designing an investigation?
- Hypothesis/question
- Variables (IV, DV, constants, extraneous)
- Method & justification
- Data type/amount
- Ethical considerations
What are the four types of variables?
- Independent
- Dependent
- Constant
- Extraneous
What are the two main data distinctions?
- Objective vs subjective
- Quantitative vs qualitative
What can cause uncertainty in research?
- Confounding and extraneous variables
- Participant variables
- Situational variables
How do you assess data quality?
Evaluate reliability and validity.
What factors can affect the validity of data?
- Sample size
- Representativeness
What’s the difference between internal and external validity?
- Internal = accuracy within the study
- External = generalisability beyond the study
Why might some results not lead to definitive conclusions?
- Small samples
- Poor validity
- Uncontrolled variables
What are the key ethical principles in psychology research?
- Voluntary participation
- Informed consent
- Right to withdraw
- Deception
- Debriefing
- No psychological or physiological harm to participants
- Confidentiality
What does ‘science as a human endeavour’ mean?
Science is influenced by and influences society, culture, and ethics.
What role does communication & collaboration play in psychology as a human endeavour?
Psychology is a global enterprise relying on clear communication, international conventions, peer review, and multidisciplinary teamwork.
working together with scientists
What role does development & application play in psychology as a human endeavour?
New research and technology lead to advances in psychological understanding and enable solutions to social, economic, and environmental problems.
developing new technology and applying solutions - within the solutions identify limitations
What role does influence play in psychology as a human endeavour?
Psychological knowledge both shapes and is shaped by economic, cultural, religious, political, and environmental factors.
what impact
What type of study was Milgram’s Obedience (1963)?
Experimental → IV: authority presence; DV: obedience (shock level).
