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Discuss the practical issues faced by psychologists when designing and implementing research in learning theories and biological psychology. - AQA - A-Level Psychology - Question 14 - 2018 - Paper 1
Question 14
Discuss the practical issues faced by psychologists when designing and implementing research in learning theories and biological psychology.
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Discuss the practical issues faced by psychologists when designing and implementing research in learning theories and biological psychology. - AQA - A-Level Psychology - Question 14 - 2018 - Paper 1
Step 1
Practical issues in controlling research
Answer
One of the primary challenges psychologists face is the need to control research conditions to ensure replicability. This involves stringent designs that can limit external influences, rendering findings potentially less applicable to real-world situations. Ensuring reliable outcomes requires careful manipulation of variables, which can complicate the research process.
Step 2
Generalizability issues from animal or restricted populations
Answer
The reliance on animals or limited human populations in studies can lead to issues of generalizability. When research is conducted on a narrow demographic, the conclusions drawn may not universally apply to broader human experiences. This poses significant limitations, especially in learning theories and biological psychology where diverse behaviors and reactions are essential to understand.
Step 3
Achieving applicable findings
Answer
Researchers must strive to achieve findings that are applicable to real-life scenarios. This often requires an understanding of wide-ranging contexts, which can complicate the design process as psychologists must balance theoretical frameworks with practical applicability. Ensuring ecological validity while maintaining rigorous scientific controls can be particularly challenging.
Step 4
Cost implications of research methods
Answer
Certain research methodologies can be inherently costly. For instance, extensive behavioral studies or advanced neuroimaging techniques require significant financial resources. These cost implications necessitate careful consideration and can limit the scope of research, making it necessary for psychologists to evaluate the potential benefits against the associated expenses.
Step 5
Implications of learning theories - Pavlov
Answer
Within learning theories, the work of Pavlov (1927) illustrates practical challenges through the use of controlled conditions. While his experiments with dogs were groundbreaking, they raised questions about the extent to which such findings can be generalized to humans, thus presenting issues related to external validity.
Step 6
Research using specific demographics - Raine et al.
Answer
Raine et al. (1997) illustrate challenges faced when studying specific populations, such as murderers with NGRI (Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity). Results drawn from this group may not reflect the broader population, emphasizing the importance of representative sampling in psychological research.
Step 7
Bandura's modelling theory
Answer
Bandura's social learning theory, particularly in modeling behaviors, indicates practical issues in sourcing participants and situations that accurately replicate real-life environments. This can impact the ecological validity of findings as the settings used in research may not fully capture the complexity of actual behavioral contexts.
Step 8
Limitations in neuroimaging techniques
Answer
Techniques like CT scans for observing brain activity present limitations as they often do not differentiate between various types of brain activity. This can lead to difficulties in accurately interpreting results, necessitating the use of multiple methods to validate findings and understand the nuances of brain function.