PSYB32H3 Study Guide - Final Guide: Dissociative Identity Disorder, Longitudinal Study, Observer-Expectancy Effect
Document Summary
Chapter 4: research methods in the study of psychopathology. Science involves forming a theory and then systematically gathering data to test the theory. It is important for researchers to replicate findings from a given study. Common methods for studying abnormal behavior include case studies, correlational studies, and experimental studies. Clinical case studies provide detailed descriptions of rare or unusual phenomena or novel procedures. Case studies can disconfirm that a relationship is universal and can generate hypotheses that can be tested through controlled research. Case studies, however, may not always be valid, and they are of limited value in providing evidence to support a theory. Correlational methods are the most common way to study the causes of abnormal behavior because we can not manipulate diagnoses or most of the key risk variables that we believe cause disease. Conclusions drawn from correlational studies cannot be interpreted in cause-effect terms because of the directionality.
