1. Introduction To Abnormal Psychology Warda Khan

2. Just what is Psychology? Psychology conjures up images of mental disorders and abnormal behavior. Psychologists do study the strange and unusual, but they are interested in the normal and commonplace as well. Just what is psychology? Today psychology is defined as the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. Abnormal psychology is the study of behavior, thoughts, and mood that are outside the bounds of what is considered “normal” in a particular culture 2 Abnormal Psychology: Research Methods

3. The Goals of Psychology n Description n Explanation n Prediction n Control 3 Abnormal Psychology: Research Methods

4. Descriptive Research Methods n Naturalistic and Laboratory Observation n Case Study n Survey Research  Experimental method  Correlational method Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2002 4 Abnormal Psychology: Research Methods

5. Self-Report vs. Observational Research zObservational Research yDirect observation xBehavior (eg. aggression, interpersonal skills) xPhysiology (eg. heart rate, stress hormones) yGreat way to get information about the way a person’s symptoms manifest themselves ySometimes the only way to get information about symptoms or a type of pathology yCannot answer the question “why?” 5 Abnormal Psychology: Research Methods

6. Descriptive Research Methods n Naturalistic and Laboratory Observation n Descriptive Information n Observer Bias & Influence n Minimal control n Case Study n Survey Research 6 Abnormal Psychology: Research Methods

7. Case Studies (in abnormal psychology) zA detailed account of one person’s pathology yCurrent symptoms and their duration yPast symptoms and their duration yPersonal history yFamily history yImpact of the symptoms on the person’s life yMedical problems 7 Abnormal Psychology: Research Methods

8. Descriptive Research Methods n Naturalistic and Laboratory Observation n Case Study n Small sample but Deep n Misintrepretation n Time consuming n Survey Research 8 Abnormal Psychology: Research Methods

9. Descriptive Research Methods n Naturalistic and Laboratory Observation n Case Study n Survey Research n Descriptive Information n Large numbers => good stats n Bias possible but not by professionals 9 Abnormal Psychology: Research Methods

10. Experimental Method n Hypothesis n Independent Variable n Dependent Variable n Experimental Group n Control Group n Generalize Findings n Problems n Selection Bias n Placebo n Experimenter Bias Manipulate Measure 10 Abnormal Psychology: Research Methods

11. The Correlational Method n Relationships not Causes n Correlation Coefficient n Correlation and Prediction 11 Abnormal Psychology: Research Methods

12. Correlation Example 12 Abnormal Psychology: Research Methods

13. Correlation Example cont. 13 Abnormal Psychology: Research Methods

14. Psychological Research n Ethics in Research n Human Participant in Psychological Research n Bias in Psychological Research n Use of Animals in Psychological Research 14 Abnormal Psychology: Research Methods

15. Modern Perspectives in Psychology n Biological Perspective n Neuroscience n Psychoanalytic Perspective n Behavioral Perspective n Cognitive Perspective n Humanistic Perspective n Evolutionary Perspective n Sociocultural Perspective Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2002 HoldingDecliningIncreasing 15 Abnormal Psychology: Research Methods

16. Psychologists at Work n Clinical 44% n Generalists 17.5% n Counseling 11% n Basic Research 7% n Industrial/Organizational 4% n School Psychologists 4% n Other 4% n Educational 3% n Developmental Psychologists 3% n Social Psychologists 2.5% 16 Abnormal Psychology: Research Methods

17. Psychologists at Work 17 Abnormal Psychology: Research Methods

18. References: zAllyn & Bacon 2002 zwww.mnforsustain.org/students_scientific_method_vs_correlation _cronbach.htm - zwww.psych.umn.edu/.../Week%201%20- %20Introduction%20&%20Research%20Methods%20- %20TO%20POST.pptwww.psych.umn.edu/.../Week%201%20- %20Introduction%20&%20Research%20Methods%20- %20TO%20POST.ppt zwww.le.ac.uk/psychology/amc/lepsrese.htmlwww.le.ac.uk/psychology/amc/lepsrese.html zwww.brainmass.com/homework-help/psychology/other/151608www.brainmass.com/homework-help/psychology/other/151608 18 Abnormal Psychology: Research Methods