Deprivation Theories in Psychology

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Questions and Answers

What are constructs in psychological research?

Abstract, conceptual variables that cannot be directly observed (correct)

Quantitative measures of psychological traits

Observable behaviors measured directly

Simple variables that can be manipulated easily

Which of the following is an example of an operational definition of 'trust'?

A survey measuring feelings of security

Self-reported confidence levels

The ability to confide in others

The willingness to be vulnerable to the actions of another party (correct)

What type of claim describes the rate or level of a variable of interest?

Causal claim

Frequency claim (correct)

Association claim

Qualitative claim

What is a defining characteristic of an association claim?

At least two variables are included Signup and view all the answers

How can motivation be operationalized in research?

Observing the time participants spend on a task Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between measured and manipulated variables?

Manipulated variables are controlled, while measured variables are observed Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes a frequency claim?

It focuses on the percentage of a specific relationship Signup and view all the answers

In the context of operational definitions, what does 'reverse-coded' mean?

Results are recorded inversely related to their original meaning Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a causal claim?

More exercise leads to improved health outcomes Signup and view all the answers

What type of claim is made when stating that happy people spend more time with others?

Association Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary observation of Monkey A in the study?

Monkey A exhibited signs of dissatisfaction. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of study is most likely to support the claim that doing random acts of kindness can make you happy?

Experimental Signup and view all the answers

What is the main variable in the claim that exercise is correlated with improved well-being?

Well-being Signup and view all the answers

Which theory suggests the importance of comparison to others in feelings of dissatisfaction?

Relative deprivation theory Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of a good theory in research?

It is falsifiable and can lead to hypotheses. Signup and view all the answers

Which claim is being made by asserting that happy people tend to savor the present moment?

Association Signup and view all the answers

How might one best operationalize the variable 'doing random acts of kindness' in a study?

Counting acts over a week Signup and view all the answers

What potential result would one expect from an experiment testing the impact of deep breathing on well-being?

Deep breathing significantly decreases stress Signup and view all the answers

What type of claim is inherent in the phrase 'exercise and moving your body is really correlated with improved well-being'?

Associative Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of the study's design supports the theory behind the grape and cucumber exchange?

Random assignment of monkeys to conditions. Signup and view all the answers

How does applied research differ from basic research?

Applied research targets specific practical problems. Signup and view all the answers

What research question did Chang et al., 2019 aim to explore?

Does diversity training affect biases against specific groups? Signup and view all the answers

What does 'falsifiable' mean in the context of theories?

It can be proven wrong with evidence. Signup and view all the answers

What type of participants might be best suited for a study on the effects of deep breathing on well-being?

Individuals under stress Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of basic research in scientific advancement?

To build and enhance the general body of knowledge. Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of teenagers had access to a smartphone in 2018 according to a Pew survey?

95% Signup and view all the answers

What alarming trend was reported in the 2017 study published in Clinical Psychological Science?

Higher screen time correlates with increased depression symptoms. Signup and view all the answers

According to the findings, what type of activities decreased the likelihood of adolescents experiencing mental health issues?

Participating in nonscreen activities. Signup and view all the answers

What did Orben and Przybylski's research find regarding digital technology use and adolescent well-being?

There is a tenuous relationship between technology use and well-being. Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the fears stoked by some researchers regarding smartphone usage among adolescents?

There is a risk of losing a generation to smartphones. Signup and view all the answers

Which outcome was NOT linked to engagement with screens in the 2017 study?

Enhanced social skills. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of the method used by Orben and Przybylski in their research?

They applied an inclusive statistical approach. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of life was found to significantly affect mental health positively?

Engagement in sports and social activities. Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of participants assigned to the difficult task reported smelling coffee in the room?

25% Signup and view all the answers

Which group was more likely to report noticing the scent of coffee?

Participants who completed an easy task Signup and view all the answers

What type of claim is made by stating 'happy people spend more time with other people in general'?

Association claim Signup and view all the answers

What type of study would likely be conducted to support the claim that 'doing random acts of kindness can make you happy'?

Experimental study Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary focus of the follow-up questions asked to the students in the experiment?

Sensory experiences in the task room Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of participants assigned to the easy task reported noticing the coffee smell?

60%-70% Signup and view all the answers

According to Dr. Santos, what is one suggested way to improve wellbeing during a pandemic?

Help others Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the relationship between social interaction and happiness as per Dr. Santos' claim?

Social interaction is coincident with happiness. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Constructs in Research

Constructs are abstract concepts that cannot be directly observed, e.g., trust and motivation.
Operational definitions translate constructs into measurable variables through specific operations or procedures.

Examples of Constructs

Trust: Defined as "the willingness to be vulnerable to another party," can be measured through multi-item scales.
Motivation: Defined as "persistent effort directed toward a goal," measured by the time participants spend on tasks.
Meaningfulness: Defined as "seeing the fruits of your labors," operationalized by assembling and deciding to destroy items (e.g., Bionicles).

Research Claims in Psychological Science

Frequency Claim: Describes the rate or level of a variable, focusing on a single variable.
Association Claim: Suggests a relationship between two variables, indicating correlation.
Causal Claim: Proposes that a change in one variable causes a change in another.

Characteristics of Claims

Frequency claims always involve one variable, while association claims include at least two variables.
Association claims reflect correlations, e.g., the proximity between height and weight.

Good Theories

Supported by data, demonstrating consistent results across varied designs and samples.
Must be falsifiable; can lead to hypotheses that could fail empirical validation.
Should be parsimonious, explaining phenomena with minimal assumptions.

Research Types

Basic Research: Aims to enhance general knowledge, not focused on solving practical issues.
Applied Research: Address specific real-world problems and applies findings to solutions.

Example Study

A study on whether diversity training impacts bias against women and minorities involved randomly assigning employees to different training conditions and measuring resultant attitudes and behaviors.

Screen Time and Adolescent Well-Being

The prevalence of smartphone access among teenagers has risen dramatically, correlating with reports of mental health issues.
Early studies suggested a direct negative impact of screen time on well-being, while recent analyses show a tenuous relationship.

Exercises for Understanding

Determine types of claims (frequency, association, causal) based on summarized findings about happiness and social interactions.
Analyze examples of constructs and their operational definitions to grasp measurement techniques.

Experimental Design Considerations

To test hypotheses about well-being, design experiments with clear operationalization of compassion actions versus their effects.
Consider recruiting diverse participants to ensure broader applicability of findings in well-being studies.

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Description

Explore the fascinating concepts of absolute and relative deprivation theories through empirical evidence and research findings. Understand how dissatisfaction arises from resource comparisons rather than basic needs. Learn what makes a theory strong and effective in psychological research.