Slide 1Psychology and the Scientific MethodResearch in Abnormal Psychology at the …Slide 4Organization of Nervous systemThe brainSlide 7Neurohormones and NeurotransmittersNeurotransmitter Importance in Disease ProcessesNeuroimagingSlide 11Behavioral GeneticsResearch at the Individual LevelResearch at the Group LevelControlled Group DesignsThe ExperimentStudy DesignsResearch at the Population LevelResearch Methodsin Abnormal PsychologyPsychology and the Scientific MethodSteps in the scientific method:1. Perceive the question2. Form a hypothesis: tentative explanation of a phenomenon based on observations.3. Test the hypothesis4. Draw conclusions5. Report your results so that others can try to replicate, or repeat, the study or experiment to see whether the same results will be obtained in an effort to demonstrate reliability of resultsResearch in Abnormal Psychology at the …Cellular LevelIndividual LevelGroup LevelPopulation Level© 2014, 2012, 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.Figure 2.1 The NeuronDendrite: tree-like branches that receive messages from the neuronsSoma: keeps the cell aliveNeuron: nerve cells found throughout the body and brain that send and receive messagesAxon: tube-like structures that carry messages to the cellsSynapse: space between neuronsNeurotransmitters: chemicals that transmit information to and from neurons© 2014, 2012, 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.Organization of Nervous systemThe brainComposed of three divisionsForebrainMidbrainHindbrainFigure 2.4 The Cerebrum© 2014, 2012, 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.Neurohormones and NeurotransmittersCommunication in the nervous system is both electrical and chemicalNeurotransmitters –chemical substances that relay electrical signals between one neuron and the nextFigure 2.6 How Neurotransmitters WorkNeurotransmitter Importance in Disease ProcessesAlzheimer’s Diseaselack of Acetylcholine Parkinson’s Disease lack of Dopamine (DA)Schizophrenia excess of Dopamine (DA)Depression low levels of Dopamine (DA) low levels of Norepinephrine (NE) low levels of SerotoninNeuroimagingNeuroanatomy ( the brain structure)CT or CAT scans (computerized axial tomography)MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)Other technology used-Positron Emission Tomography (PET Scan)-Functional MRI (fMRI)© 2014, 2012, 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.PET scan of brain during period of depression (left) versus normal brain activity (right)Behavioral GeneticsInfer the action of genes and environmentFamily studies – family history, and family studyAdoption studies – biological parents vs. adopted-away offspring and adoption placementTwin studies-Monozygotic (MZ) and Dizygotic (DZ) twin pairs© 2014, 2012, 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.Research at the Individual LevelCase study – a comprehensive description of an individual, a group of individuals (as a whole), or a particular situation that focuses on assessment or description of abnormal behavior or its treatmentBenefits:Limitations:Single-Case Designs- Experimental studies conducted with a single individual, most common ABABBenefits:Limitations:© 2014, 2012, 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.Research at the Group LevelCorrelational methods-Relationship between variablesCorrelation coefficient (r)-Positive correlation-Negative correlation-Range from -1.0 to 1.0 (closer to either of these indicate a stronger relationship)Correlation is NOT causation; it only explains the degree to which a change in one variable is associated with a change in the other.Controlled Group DesignsExperiments in which groups of participants are exposed to different conditions at least one of which is experimental and one of which is a control-Independent variable -Dependent variable - Random assignment-Internal validity vs. external validity-Reliability vs. validity-Clinical vs. statistical significance© 2014, 2012, 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.Random AssignmentThe ExperimentLO 1.10 Experimental Approach and Terms SAMPLEControl GroupExperimental Group Test for DifferencesStudy Designs•Longitudinal Design •Studying same person(s) over time. •Cross-Sectional Design •Studying groups of different ages/cohorts at the SAME time.•Sequential Design •Study 2 or more age groups/cohorts over a period of time •combination of longitudinal and cross-sectionalResearch at the Population Level- Epidemiology focuses on the prevalence and incidence of mental disorders© 2014, 2012, 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.Age-standardised disability-adjusted life year (DALY) rates of unipolar depressive disorders by country (per 100,000 inhabitants) in
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