What is an observational research design, and how can such an approach further our understanding of abnormal behavior? What limitations are there of such designs, and how can these be overcome?
What will be an ideal response?
When an observational research design is employed, no manipulation is made; data is merely gathered on the subject or subjects of interest. A group that is at risk for some disorder or has a particular disorder may be studied in order to gather information as to the factors that might influence the development of the disorder or the progression of the disorder. Just as a control group is used in an experiment, a control group must be used when conducting observational research. It is important, however, to recognize that no conclusions can be made about cause and effect. Correlational data, observing that two factors are related, does not permit such conclusions to be made, as other factors may be the true cause for the observed relationship. For example, if a researcher observes a correlation between obesity and depression, it can't be concluded that depression causes obesity or that obesity causes depression. While either may be true, it cannot be determined from such data. In addition to these obvious causal connections, there could be additional factors that are causing both problems. Thus, while observational research designs provide information as to how things are related, no conclusions can be made as to cause and effect. GRADING RUBRIC: 10 points total, 2 points for explaining observational research design, 2 points for how it can be used, 3 points for limitations, 3 points for how limitations can be overcome.
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What will be an ideal response?
Which of the following researchers proposed that crystallized intelligence is a type of intelligence distinct from other types of intelligence?
a. Raymond Cattell b. Howard Gardner c. Robert Sternberg d. L.L. Thurstone
Persons who fail to make eye contact, retreat when spoken to, display little animation in conversation, lack confidence, and feel uncomfortable around people who are not close friends are displaying
a. hysteria. b. neurosis. c. shyness. d. mania.
Which of the following hypotheses did psychoanalytic theory and behaviorism agree upon before Harlow's research?
Infants are genetically programmed to bond with their mothers. Infants' attachments to their mothers result from the fact that their mothers feed them. Infants need to learn to love their mothers over the first several years of life because their mothers are kind toward them. Infants have no true love for their mothers, as infants are not cognitively advanced enough to understand love.