Research Methods and Ethical Principles in Psychopathology

What is the scientific method in psychopathology?

A systematic way of studying psychological disorders through forming ideas and testing them against the real world.

What are the key steps in the scientific method?

Making an observation, creating a hypothesis, designing an experiment, and gathering data.

What must be done if the hypothesis is true?

Find more evidence or conduct further tests.

What must be done if the hypothesis is false?

Create a new hypothesis or examine the data more closely

What does it mean for an experiment to be replicable?

It must be able to be repeated by other researchers.

What is a theory in the context of the scientific method?

A well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world.

What is a hypothesis?

A potential solution to a question that can be tested.

What are the three main categories of psychological research?

Descriptive research, correlational research, and experimental research.

What is a case study?

An in-depth analysis of an individual or group, often used in clinical studies.

What is naturalistic observation?

Observing subjects in their natural environment without interference.

What is longitudinal research?

A study that follows the same group of people over a period of time.

What is cross-sectional research?

A study that examines a group of people at a single point in time.

What is the epidemiological method?

A method used to discover the rates of occurrence of various disorders.

What does a correlation coefficient indicate?

The strength and direction of the relationship between variables, ranging from -1 to +1.

What is a positive correlation?

When two variables move in the same direction.

What is a negative correlation?

When two variables move in opposite directions.

What does correlation not imply?

Correlation does not indicate causation.

What is an independent variable?

The variable that is manipulated in an experiment.

What is a dependent variable?

The variable that is measured in an experiment.

What is a placebo condition?

A control condition where participants believe they are receiving treatment but are not.

What is the Institutional Review Board (IRB)?

A committee that ensures research meets ethical standards.

What is informed consent?

A written description of what participants can expect during an experiment, including risks.

What is the APA's principle of beneficence and non-maleficence?

The obligation to minimize harm and maximize benefits in research.

What does the term 'involuntary commitment' refer to?

The legal process of placing an individual in a treatment facility against their will.

What is the Insanity Defense?

A legal defense claiming that a defendant was not responsible for their actions due to mental illness.

What is the significance of the case 'O'Connor v. Donaldson'?

It established the right to treatment for individuals in institutional settings.