Adoption studies - Genes implicated if children are more similar to bio
+removal of extraneous variables, show twin studies overestimate role of genetics
-selective placement, unrepresentative
Baddeley (1966b) Aim - To investigate if the recall of acoustically similar words was
poor in LTM but semantically similar words had no effect, based on previous research
Baddeley (1966b) Evaluation - G- Limited to experimental conditions
R- High, standardised procedures
A- Help improve long-term recall e.g. mind maps
V- Lack ecological validity, artificial, reductionist
E- Good
Baddeley (1966b) Procedure - 1. 4 lists of 10 words presented aloud on tape
2. 40s to write as many they can recall in order (x4)
3. 20 minutes on an unrelated task, asked to recall
Baddeley (1966b) Results - -LTM encodes semantically
-Acoustically similar words seem to be confusing at first, but participants soon "catch
up"
-Semantically similar words do seem to be confusing and the experimental group lags
behind the Control group.
Baddeley (1966b) Sample - Volunteer
75 young servicemen (3 excluded)
Case studies - +investigate rare behaviours
+rich, in-depth data
-difficult to generalise
-recollection of past required
-researchers may lack objectivity
-ethical issues
CAT scan (computerized axial tomography) - X-rays and computer create detailed
structural image
Large doughnut-shaped scanner rotates
Images are cross section of brain
+reveals abnormal brain structure
-needs more radiation, only structural
Chi-squared - test of difference or association
independent items, frequency
, nominal
Comparisons of ways of explaining behaviour using different themes - Social:
Cognitive:
Biological:
Learning:
Clinical:
Child:
Correlation - +look at relationships between two co-variables
+useful for preliminary analysis
-cannot show cause and effect
-affected by variables
-method used may lack reliability/validity
Covert observation - +behave more naturally
+can use public behaviour, easier to organise
-ethical issues, lack of consent/withdraw
-unethical to record behaviour
Cultural and Gender issues in psychological research - Alpha-bias
- Exaggerate gender differences e.g. extreme male brain, Milgram- women have more
empathy
Beta-bias
- Ignore or minimise differences between males and females e.g. Tajfel and prejudice -
generalised to women
Gender -
Psychological characteristics associated with being male or female (biological but also
social construct)
Bias
- Leaning in a particular direction, a systematic distortion in one's attitude and beliefs
based on prejudice or pre-existing ideas
Androcentrism
- Mental process of viewing the world from a male point of view e.g. Milgram
Gynocentrism
- Mental process of viewing the world from a female point of view
Etics and Emics
Ethical issues in research - Humans:
BPS- Respect, competence, responsibility, integrity
Consent (can)
Deception (do)
Confidentiality (can't)
Debrief (do)
Withdraw (with)