Careers and Research Methods in Psychology

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary focus of a psychologist?

Studying the mind and behavior (correct)

Prescribing medications

Administering psychological tests

Diagnosing physical illnesses

Which research method involves manipulating variables to establish cause and effect?

Naturalistic observation

Experimental (correct)

Descriptive

Correlational

What is one disadvantage of naturalistic observation?

Observer bias and inability to control variables (correct)

High cost of conducting research

Limited to laboratory settings

Artificial behaviors due to controlled environments

Which professional is specifically trained to prescribe medications for mental health conditions?

Psychiatrist Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary benefit of conducting a case study?

In-depth information on rare conditions Signup and view all the answers

What is a common disadvantage of using surveys in research?

Poor response rates Signup and view all the answers

Which method allows researchers to observe behavior without any outside influence?

Naturalistic observation Signup and view all the answers

What main principle do experimental methods in psychology employ?

Manipulating variables to determine cause and effect Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary limitation of case studies in research?

Limited generalizability of results Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of social desirability bias in surveys?

Invalid responses due to faked answers Signup and view all the answers

Which type of research is known for establishing a cause-and-effect relationship?

Experimental research Signup and view all the answers

What is a disadvantage of behavioral measures in research?

They may require extensive training Signup and view all the answers

How do correlational studies handle variables?

They predict relationships without establishing causation Signup and view all the answers

What do physiological measures assess in research studies?

Bodily responses under specific conditions Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a primary purpose of conducting research in psychology?

Control all extraneous variables Signup and view all the answers

What limitation do self-reports typically face?

Social desirability bias affecting honesty Signup and view all the answers

What is one advantage of using experimental research as compared to observational research?

Control over variables Signup and view all the answers

Which research method typically requires a comprehensive account of one person or group?

Case study Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes correlation in research?

A measurement of the strength of a relationship between variables Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Careers in Psychology

Psychologist: Requires a doctorate and licensing by the PRC. Focuses on the study of the mind and behavior or treating mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. Involves talk therapy.
Psychometrician: A scientist who develops, studies, validates, administers, and analyzes psychological tests.
Psychiatrist: A medical doctor specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness, including prescribing medication. Often uses SNRIs.
Overall Responsibilities for Psychologists/Related Professionals: Research, promote well-being, apply science, advise businesses/policymakers, and provide healthcare.

Research Methods in Psychology

Descriptive Research: Observational methods (naturalistic and laboratory), case studies, and surveys.
- Naturalistic Observation: Observing subjects in their natural environment without interference, aiming for realism but facing observer bias.
- Laboratory Observation: Observing subjects in a controlled setting, providing more control but can create artificial behavior.
- Case Studies: Deep analysis of individuals, groups, or events. Can study rare or ethically complex issues, but results have limited generalizability.
- Surveys: Gathering data by asking questions, reaching large samples but susceptible to social desirability bias and inaccuracies.
Correlational Research: Measures the relationship between variables, but does not prove a cause-and-effect link. May indicate potential cause-effect but isn't definitive. Correlation does not equal causation.
Experimental Research: Manipulating variables to determine cause-and-effect relationships. Can show causation, but may create artificial situations.
Measurement Approaches:
- Self-Reports: Participants describe their thoughts, feelings, and actions through interviews or questionnaires. Can be flawed due to social desirability bias.
- Behavioral Measures: Direct observation of behavior, useful for understanding behavior in context. Coding and training required. Participants behavior modification is a concern.
- Physiological Measures: Recording body responses to understand physiological processes related to psychological phenomena. Needs specialized training.
- Multiple Measures: Combining various methods to improve study results, offsetting weaknesses in individual measures. Expensive and time-consuming.

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Description

Explore the various careers within psychology, such as psychologists, psychometricians, and psychiatrists, each playing a unique role in mental health. Additionally, delve into research methods used in psychology, focusing on descriptive research techniques like observational studies and surveys.