Psychological research can be conducted using a number of different methods such as; Surveys- these can be conducted face to face or as written questions. The questions asked will be applicable to the research being studied. A target group is normally considered or random participants may be selected to partake.
Questionnaires- participants answer written questions specifically designed. Questionnaires are normally closed questions with yes or no answers but may also ask qualitive data if further information is necessary.
Interviews- a form of questioning and more one to one. This method can be in two forms, structured with specially selected questions and a clear direction of information needed to be gained or un-structured which may include flexible questions by the interviewer but no set direction of questioning (conversational).
Experiments- laboratory experiments are very controlled with specialist equipment. Field experiments are within a more natural setting for participants. Natural experiments can be researched after an incident such as a natural disaster has taken place (naturally occurring)
Case studies- are a process or record of research using other methods such as interviewing or observations. They may also contain secondary data of a target individual or group over a period of time.
Correlation research- this research is normally quantitative data gathering and determining a relationship between variables. In psychology this is normally based on the effects of an Independent variable (IV) has on a Dependant Variable (DV).
These research methods will only be used if they are the best method for the aim and hypothesis of the experiment to use. (McLeod. S), (2007). (Brain.C et al), (2008).
The main psychological perspectives use research methods to gain evidence to support their theories on certain aspects of behaviour.
The Biological approach believes our genetic makeup and the Central Nervous System (CNS) is what controls our behaviour. One theory used by the Biological Approach is that our brain activity could be directly linked to our behaviour (Hebb`s book, The organisation of Behaviour 1949). This approach is the most scientific and combines psychology and biology to explain human behaviour. Methods of research identified with the Biological approach to support this theory are experimental within a laboratory, field and natural environment on both animals and humans, observations, case studies and collection of data from interviewing or questionnaires or secondary data e.g. medical records. (Brain.C et al) (2008).
The cognitive approach looks at our neurocognitive functions (mental processes) such as perception, attention, language, thinking, problem solving and memory and how these factors affect our behaviour. Cognitive psychologists use theories and models to explain the relationship between our biological process which determines how we then behave. Models such as the information processing model is one such explanation of the cognitive approach. This explains how the human brain receives (input), interprets (process) and responds (output) to information. This explanation strongly supports another cognitive theory that the human mind is similar to a computer process. Although this is argued as the human mind as yet has not been found to have a limit to such things as memory like a computer. Research methods used by cognitive psychologists can include experiments within laboratory, field or natural environments to gain evidence to support these theories. Studies such as sleep, perception and physiological responses may be observed to support the cognitive process theory. (Brain.C et al) (2008).
Both the cognitive approach and the biological approach suggest that initially it is a biological fault such as genetics or a neurological problem that causes abnormalities in behaviour.
Socially accepted behaviours and culturally accepted behaviours are followed everyday consciously and unconsciously. For example, how we present ourselves and speak to others. When a person deviates from socially accepted behaviours (social norms) or cultural deviations it is believed they are abnormal or acting abnormally. An abnormality may be defined as a failure to function adequately for instance in social situations or self-care. This may be assessed by professionals using The Global Assessment of Functioning Scores. These scores range from 10 being suicidal to 100 described as superior with scores between indicating other abnormal behaviours such as anxiety and panic attacks. A person considered to be or have an abnormality may also show signs of deviating from the ideal mental health characteristics and showing this within their behaviour. Six characteristics thought to provide ideal mental health were proposed by Marie Jahoda an Austrian-British social psychologist. They are self-actualisation, positive attitude toward the self, resistance to stress, personal autonomy, accurate perception of reality and adapting to the environment. (Unknown author), (2016).
These definitions of abnormality can be questionable as some patients can display certain aspects of abnormality but may not display all, some may be able to control the characteristics well enough to still be considered socially normal. (AS Psychology), (2015).
A serious mental health condition considered as an abnormality is Schizophrenia. Schizophrenia was first identified in 1887 by a German Physician Dr. Emile Kreapelin as a mental illness. Schizophrenia was initially categorised as dementia praecox and the name schizophrenia given to the condition is only around 100 years old. Schizo meaning split, phrene meaning mind. This name was given to the condition by a Swiss psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler. Eugen Bleuler was also the first to recognise the symptoms of the condition as positive (a change in behaviour such as hallucinations) or negative (withdrawal or lack of function). (Schizophrenia.com) (1996).
It is believed that around 1 in 100 people will be affected by schizophrenia and research shows people affected will be diagnosed between the ages of 15 and 35. Both males and females have the same chance of the condition occurring but with treatment and therapies schizophrenia can be a manageable condition. (NHS.UK), (2014).
Characteristics of schizophrenia can be delusions or distorted thoughts, hallucinations, hearing voices, paranoia, speech disorientation or flat emotions such as sadness and loss. One or more of these symptoms can be an indication of schizophrenia if they are experienced by the person most of the time over a prolonged period (1-6 months). In this case the person will be diagnosed after a thorough assessment and other possible causes have been ruled out such as bipolar or drug use. With a definite diagnosis of schizophrenia, a referral to a local community mental health team will be made where the individual can be treated and supported accordingly for the condition. (NHS.UK), (2014).
As previously mentioned The Biological Approach theory as to why an abnormality such as schizophrenia occurs is the theory of a fault or hyperactivity of the biological processes, chemicals and neurotransmitters within the brain. One theory is named The Dopamine Hypothesis. This theory has been strongly supported by more recent technological research equipment such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans of the brain which can now provide extremely detailed imagery of the brains structure its self and activity in specific areas of the brain. Including the effects dopamine has on our brains and effectively our behaviour. (Schizophrenia Forum), (2012).
This type of research has also had a major influence on the treatment of schizophrenia. For example, it is strongly used during trials and experiments of drug therapy one of the major ways to treat symptoms of schizophrenia. The medication given to relieve some of the symptoms are called Antipsychotic drugs. Antipsychotic drugs can be in the form of a tablet or an injection they are normally used over a short period to calm anxiety levels and flat emotions in a patient but when used more long term can reduce other symptoms of schizophrenia such as hallucinations and feelings of paranoia. This kind of medication achieves this by blocking the effects of dopamine on the brain. Dopamine neurons in the mesolimbic pathway of the brain have been strongly linked to schizophrenia and psychosis. (Psychologists world and partners), (2016). (NHS.UK), (2014).
Research methods such as laboratory and observational research have taken place on both animals and humans to test the effectiveness of these drugs and behaviour. Laboratory testing is the most controlled research method because measurements on variables will be more accurate and psychologists can use specialist equipment and up to date technology such as MRI and PET testing to test antipsychotics on the brain and observe behaviour. The validity of using animals in such research is questionable as it is unknown how much harm is being caused, this can be considered un ethical. It is also unknown how much information obtained can actually be applied to a human brain as there is a large difference in structure and functioning of the nervous system. Observable animal behaviour and human behaviour are also so different that credibility of animal research is highly questionable. Within some laboratory environments observations on human behaviour validity could also be questionable as it is an un natural environment and demand characteristics may occur. This could be rectified if a field experiment was also to be researched with patients in their own environment producing natural behaviour although this would be harder to control independent variables and dependant variables may be effected. Other extraneous variables may also occur and be a factor during a field experiment effecting research. During experiments debriefing is protocol to make sure the participants didn’t feel distressed in any way after taking part for ethical validity. This is something that cannot be done with animals making animal research un ethical. (Brain.C et al), (2008).
Even so, laboratory experiments have influenced the different types of antipsychotics available (strengths and effects) and the use of drug therapy dramatically to people with schizophrenia under care. (Columbia university), (2008).
The Biological Approach also theorises that genetics could be the answer to why schizophrenia develops, this has been extensively researched to support the theory using case studies. Strong evidence toward a correlation between biological relationships (genetics) and the chances of inheriting schizophrenia suggest there is a 50 % chance of inheriting schizophrenia if another first degree (parent, sibling, offspring) relative has the condition. Gottesman and Shields (1996) who investigated this theory using Monozygotic (identical) and Dizygotic (un identical) sets of twins in family case studies. This research found that schizophrenia was more common in identical twins than in un identical twins where one twin is already diagnosed with schizophrenia both monozygotic and dizygotic had a higher risk of developing the disorder with one twin already diagnosed than that of the general population. (Brain.C et al), (2008).
Although it is argued that family studies are not conclusive as environmental factors can also be an explanation for family members to display similar behaviours as at some point all twins have been subjected to the same environments. This discredits genetics as an independent variable (IV) for schizophrenia. Although other evidence from research carried out by Kety et al, Adoption Studies, (1994) supports the genetic theory as these studies showed adoptees with schizophrenia were more likely to have biological relatives with the disorder even though they had been separated. (American medical association), (1994).
The Cognitive approach explanation for the schizophrenia suggests it is faults within a person with schizophrenia`s mental processing that causes the abnormalities in their behaviour. The Cognitive approach initially agrees with the Biological Approach that a biological problem must first occur, but then further suggests that as a result of the initial biological problem other psychological problems occur due to a person with schizophrenia not being able to distinguish between reality and what is their reality (distorted thoughts and hallucinations). When others such as friends and family cannot agree their reality as truth other effects of schizophrenia come into play such as paranoia and distorted thoughts. The cognitive approach describes the suffers reality to be over stimulation from the world around them due to a fault in mental processing as appose to others without a fault who can naturally process necessary and unnecessary stimuli. (Slide Share), (2013).
Evidence from laboratory research supports this theory such as Schizophr.B, Reward Processing in Schizophrenia, (2008). Participants taking part in this method of research found it hard to focus attention on certain stimuli and ignore other stimuli present. This kind of research can easily be replicated to show validity but in an un natural environment it has no ecological validity. Also demand characteristics could occur from participants as well as experimenter effects having influence on how the participants behave again effecting validity. (Maryland Psychiatric Research Center), (2010).
Information collected from research like the stimuli research, have had profound influence on treatments provided to schizophrenic patients within a care setting. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is one such treatment. CBT is used to help with the symptoms of schizophrenia such as the inability to process stimuli and inability to function correctly (work, socialise, self-help). It aims to help sufferers understand negative patterns such as thoughts, physical sensations and actions. CBT aims to then provide strategies to overcome both negative thoughts and behaviours to be used during situations in day to day life.
Both drug therapy and CBT have proven very successful in the treatment of schizophrenia and helping patients manage the condition.
(NHS.UK), (2014). Word count 2164 words