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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
Laboratory experiments play a crucial role in health psychology as they provide a clear hypothesis that researchers aim to test. These controlled studies allow an independent variable (IV) to be manipulated to observe its effects on a dependent variable (DV). By investigating how various drugs impact either brain function or long-term treatment outcomes, researchers can gather essential data on effective health interventions. Moreover, using an independent measures design can enhance the reliability of results, and a repeated measures design can help control for individual differences by using the same participants in different conditions.
Step 2
AO2: Limitations of Animal Studies
Answer
While laboratory experiments can control extraneous variables, there are significant limitations when using animal subjects, such as monkeys, in health psychology research. For instance, researchers like Ian must consider the impact of other drugs that the animals may have taken previously. Additionally, the isolation of animals may lead to skewed results; if the drug in question has side effects caused by previous substances, it may not accurately reflect how it would affect humans. Furthermore, individual variability among monkeys means that what applies to one may not be generalizable to another.
Step 3
AO3: Ethical Considerations and Research Validity
Answer
The ethical implications of conducting experiments on animals cannot be overlooked. When considering the controlled conditions necessary for such research, one must emphasize the need to minimize distress and suffering. It is essential to assess whether the benefits of such research justify the means. While studies involving monkeys can provide insight into the long-term effects of drugs, ethical concerns must shape the methodology. Researchers could consider social grooming or other less intrusive methods to study psychological impacts in similar contexts. The necessity for transparency and ethical standards in animal research is vital when issuing findings applicable to humans.