SS440 Seminar: Unit 4Research in Psychopathology

Dr. Angie WhalenKaplan University

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Agenda

•Case Study Project Part I▫Due Tuesday, 11:59 p.m.

•Research in Psychopathology

•Conclusions & Questions

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Conducting Research in Psychopathology•Questions driving a science of

psychopathology▫What problems cause distress or impair

functioning? ▫Why do people behave in unusual ways? ▫How can we help people behave in more

adaptive ways?

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Basic Components of Research•Starts with a hypothesis or “educated guess”

▫Not all hypotheses are testable▫Hypotheses in science are formulated so that

they are testable•Research design

▫A method to test hypotheses▫Independent variable

The variable that causes or influences behavior▫Dependent variable

The behavior influenced by the independent variable

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Considerations in Research Design•Internal validity vs. external validity

▫What is internal validity? ▫What is external validity?

•Ways to increase internal validity by minimizing confounds▫Use of control groups▫Use of random assignment procedures▫Use of analog models

•Relation between internal and external validity

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Statistical vs. Clinical Significance•Statistical methods

▫Helps to protect against biases in evaluating data •Statistical vs. clinical significance

▫Statistical significance – are results due to chance?

▫Clinical significance – are results clinically meaningful?

•Balancing statistical vs. clinical significance▫Evaluate effect size▫Evaluate social validity

•Generalizability and the patient uniformity myth

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Studying Individual Cases

•Case study method▫Extensive observation and detailed

description of a client▫Foundation of early historic developments

in psychopathology•Limitations

▫Lacks scientific rigor and suitable controls▫Internal validity is typically weak▫Often entails numerous confounds

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Research by Correlation

•The nature of correlation▫Statistical relation between two or more

variables▫No independent variable is manipulated

•Limitations▫Does not imply causation▫Problem of directionality

•Epidemiological research – an example of the correlational method▫Incidence, prevalence, and course of disorders▫Examples – AIDS, trauma following disaster

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Research by Experiment

•Nature of experimental research▫Manipulation of independent variables▫Attempt to establish causal relations

•Group experimental designs▫Control groups▫Placebo vs. double-blind controls

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Research by Experiment (continued)•Comparative treatment designs

▫Type of group design▫Compare different forms of treatment in

similar persons▫Addresses treatment process and outcome

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Single-Case Experimental Designs•Nature of single subject design

▫Rigorous study of single cases▫Varied experimental conditions and time▫Repeated measurement▫Evaluation of variability, level, and trend▫Premium on internal validity

•Types of single-subject design▫Withdrawal designs▫Multiple baseline designs

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Discussion

•Which type of research do you think would be most helpful in understanding abnormal behavior?▫Case Studies▫Correlational▫Group Experimental Designs▫Single Case Experimental Designs

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Genetic Research Strategies

•Behavioral genetics ▫Interaction between genes, experience, and

behavior▫Phenotype vs. genotype

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Genetic Research Strategies (continued)

•Strategies used in genetic research▫Family studies – behaviors/emotional traits

in family members▫Adoptee studies – separate environmental

from genetic factors▫Twin studies – psychopathology in fraternal

vs. identical twins▫Genetic linkage and association studies –

sites of defective genes

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Discussion

•Why might twin studies give us such compelling evidence regarding the influence of genetics?

•Can you think of any ways that twin studies could be combined with other types of research to give us more insight into human behavior and particularly into psychological disorders?

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Studying Behavior Over Time

•Rationale and overview▫How does the problem or behavior change

over time?▫Important in prevention and treatment

research

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Studying Behavior Over Time (continued)

•Time-based research strategies▫Cross-sectional designs and the cohort

effect ▫Longitudinal designs and the

cross-generational effect▫Sequential designs – combine both

strategies•Assets and liabilities of time-based

research strategies

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Studying Behavior Across Cultures•Value of cross-cultural research

▫Overcoming ethnocentric research •Assets and liabilities of cross cultural

research▫Assets

To clarify how psychopathology manifests in different ethnic groups

▫Problems with cross-cultural research Limited by available measures

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The Nature of Programmatic Research and Research Ethics•Components of a research program

▫Set of interrelated research questions▫Draw on several methodologies in finding

answers▫Conducted in stages, often involving

replication

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The Nature of Programmatic Research and Research Ethics (continued)•Research ethics: institutional review

boards & the APA ethics code ▫Role of institutional review boards▫Informed consent – historical evolution post

WWII▫Competence – ability to provide consent▫Voluntarism – lack of coercion ▫Full information – necessary information to

make an informed decision▫Comprehension – understanding about

benefits and risks of participation

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Summary of Research Methods (continued)•Abnormal psychology is founded in the

scientific method ▫Understand the nature of abnormality and

human suffering▫Understand the causes of psychological

disorders▫Understand the course of psychological

disorders▫Understand how to prevent and treat

psychological disorders

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Summary of Research Methods (continued)

•Replication is the cornerstone of science and programmatic research

•Research must occur in the context of ethical considerations and values

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Questions??

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