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You will have learnt about a key question from health psychology that is relevant to today's society - AQA - A-Level Psychology - Question 18 - 2017 - Paper 2
Question 18
You will have learnt about a key question from health psychology that is relevant to today's society. Assess the key question from health psychology.
Worked Solution & Example Answer:You will have learnt about a key question from health psychology that is relevant to today's society - AQA - A-Level Psychology - Question 18 - 2017 - Paper 2
Step 1
AO1: Laboratory Experiments in Health Psychology
Answer
In health psychology, a key question can be assessed through laboratory experiments designed with clear hypotheses indicating the expected outcomes. These experiments utilize an independent variable (IV) which is manipulated to examine its effects on a dependent variable (DV).
Laboratory experiments enable researchers to explore the immediate and long-term effects of various interventions, such as drugs in treatment programs. They often employ controlled conditions to enhance the reliability of results. For instance, the use of independent measures involving different participants can clarify the outcomes, while a repeated measures design may provide insights by using the same subjects to mitigate variability.
Step 2
AO2: Real-World Application
Answer
In practice, ethical and practical considerations arise when applying findings from animal studies to human health psychology. For instance, if an experiment is conducted on monkeys, controlling for previous drug exposure is crucial; this is because prior treatments may influence the current drug’s effects. Additionally, while laboratory results offer insights, they may not directly translate to humans due to genetic differences and varying life experiences.
For example, if a study on drug efficacy spans different age groups, age-related factors must be accounted for to ensure the applicability of results to human health.
Step 3
AO3: Evaluating the Use of Controlled Conditions
Answer
Assessing health psychology questions through controlled experiments presents both advantages and limitations. Controlled conditions allow for clarity in establishing cause-and-effect relationships; however, they may overlook complex interactions present in real-world environments.
Furthermore, ethical concerns regarding animal experimentation must be addressed. While isolating subjects may seem appropriate for rigorous testing, it presents dilemmas regarding the application of such findings to socially intricate human conditions. The extrapolation of results can sometimes lead to misleading conclusions if not contextualized properly.