Author: Jyotika Varmani

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Solving Specimen Paper 3 For Health Psychology

Let’s learn how to answer various questions for the health psychology option by studying model answers to the specimen paper in this lesson!

One weakness of the study by Savage and Armstrong is the generalisability of its findings. The researchers recruited 359 participants for their sample but ended up with only 200 as a sizeable number of participants failed to complete one or both questionnaires of the study. This could reduce representativeness of the sample by introducing bias. For example, if only those participants did not complete assessments who were severely ill, then the sample would not represent the preferred consultation style of severely ill patients. This would reduce generalisability of findings to severely ill patients in the population. However, the researchers did try to mitigate the effects of attrition by recruiting a large sample to begin with and by randomly selecting from patients of each surgery doctor, which could have resulted in representation of some severely ill people at least, for instance.

One strength of the study was the use of real-settings. Actual patients who came to visit doctors in an inner London general practice were included in the study. Further, they encountered the consultation style of the doctor during the course of their actual consultation sessions with the doctor. This was as the response of the patients to the doctor’s consultation style could be presumed to be their natural response, generalisable to consultations in everyday practitioner settings. This increases the ecological validity of findings. However, ecological validity is compromised to an extent because the doctor followed prompts given by researchers to adopt a sharing or directed consultation style. Thus, patients might respond differently to doctors who authentically adopt either consultation style in real life.

One weakness of the study is its support for a deterministic explanation of patient satisfaction. The consultation style – sharing or directed – chosen by a doctor is beyond the control of the patient. This is a weakness as this explanation does not consider the choices of the patient in interaction with the doctor, which in turn could influence the style adopted by the doctor towards the patient. As an example, a doctor who adopts a sharing style, upon getting very limited responses from a patient might naturally switch over to a directed style. Thus, patients do also control their interactions with doctors and thereby, their satisfaction with them. Yet, a strength of taking a deterministic explanation is that it makes patient satisfaction predictable and controllable. For example, the result of the study which shows that directed style has an advantage in patient satisfaction over sharing style overall, makes it easy for doctors to know which style to begin with during a consultation with a new patient that will most probably result in success.

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A2 - Clinical Psychology

Model Answer for Paper 4 – Design a Study

Designing a study on paper 4 is deceptively simple. It actually requires a due consideration of a number of design features of different research methods.

Learn how to answer the 10-marker on section (a) and the following 2-and 4-markers on sections (b) and (c) by studying the model answer below. And if you haven’t already, watch the accompanying video for this lesson on the link given after this answer. Happy learning!

Paper-4-Design-a-Study-Model-Answer-by-Jyotika-VarmaniDownload

Learn how to design the study from the video below-

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AS - Exam Practice

Practice Papers 1 and 2

Namaste!

I’ve been getting quite a few requests lately for practice papers according to the latest syllabus pattern. So I’m uploading practice question papers for your upcoming exams. You can download them from below.

All the best and do your best!

Practice-Paper-1Download
Practice-Paper-2Download

CIE 9990 A-levels Psychology, A Levels psychology, IGCSE Psychology, Psychology paper 1, Psychology paper 2, Exam Practice for Cambridge A Levels psychology, 9990 psychology new syllabus, CIE Psychology exam practice

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AS - Core Studies

Perry et al. – 10 Marker Strengths and Weaknesses

Q. Evaluate the study by Perry et al. (personal space)  in terms of two strengths and two weaknesses. At least one of your evaluation points must be about use of self-report. [10]

You can download the evaluation essay frame from below. Happy learning!

Perry-et-al-10-marker-Essay-Writing-Frame-by-Jyotika-VarmaniDownload

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A2 - Clinical Psychology

6- and 10-marker Plan for Biological Explanation of Mood Disorders

There’s a lot of content to ‘memorise’ in psychology, isn’t there?

Remembering becomes a lot easier when it is done in an organised way rather than through cramming.

Then, how should students organise content?

By preparing answer writing frames after every lesson!

By organising the textbook content into sections and subsections giving appropriate headings – of course in a question-answer format. That way, students just have to remember a few words of the headings to be able to recall the entire answer that they have understood from the textbook.

Download a sample on how this can be done from below to get more clarity on this approach. Happy learning!

Writing-Frame-and-Evaluation-for-6-and-10-markers-of-Biological-Explanations-of-Mood-Dosorders-by-Jyotika-VarmaniDownload

search terms – 9990 psychology, 9990 a levels psychology, clinical psychology, cie psychology, as and a levels psychology, Oruc et al., mood disorders, bipolar disorder, depression, explanations of mood disorders, genetic explanations, biological explanations, 9990 2024-26 new syllabus

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AS - Core Studies

Model 10-Marker Answer for the Fagen et al. Study

You can download the model answer from below. Happy learning!

10-marker-Model-Answer-for-Paper-1-AS-Core-Studies-Fagen-et-al-by-Jyotika-VarmaniDownload

search terms – 9990 psychology, 9990 a levels psychology, AS psychology, cie psychology, IGCSE psychology, as and a levels psychology, Paper 1 model answer, 10-marker, Fagen et al., exam preparation, trunk wash, elephant learning, new studies, model answers, AS Core Studies, 9990 2024-26 new syllabus

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A2 - Consumer Psychology

Answering AO2 4-markers in Paper 3 for Consumer Psychology

Let’s learn how to answer the 4-marker application questions for in paper 3 for the consumer psychology option today!

Sample Question and Answer

Kitty goes to buy jeans at a large local store. While entering, she notices posters and banners showing the latest trending jeans at the window on the storefront.

The exterior design of the store is such that it contains many pots of different white and red colored roses.

After making her purchase, Kitty tells her sister Mimmy that she really liked the environment of the store and that she would like to visit it every few weeks to check out the collection of jeans there.

With reference to one study on types of store exterior design, explain Kitty’s response to the store. [4]

____________

Planning your answer–

  1. Remember the name of the study on ‘types of store exterior design’
    • Mower et al.
  2. Remember the findings of the study
    • Participants expressed liking of the external environment of the store and showed increased patronage intentions
      • Why?
        • The landscaping was large, containing flowers and ivy pots;
        • The window displays contained mannequin wearing a fashion outfit
  3. Analogise to the ‘Kitty’ scenario
    • Kitty’s response – same as participants of the study;
    • Landscaping – “pots of different white and red roses”
    • Window displays – “posters and banners showing the latest trending jeans”

____________

Organising your answer-

  1. State the relevant features of the Mower et al.’s study
  2. Link them to the ‘Kitty’ scenario – bring about how the features are found in the scenario, using wording from the scenario

______________

Writing your answer-

Mower et al., in their study investigating the influence of window displays and landscaping on customers’ mood found that – (1) the presence of landscaping, containing pots of flowers and ivy; and (2) the presence of window displays containing a female manequinn wearing a fashionable outfit; increased liking of the external environment and patronage intentions. In the given scenario, (1) the presence of landscaping in the form of pots of white and red-coloured roses; and (2) the presence of window displays in the form of posters and banners showing the latest trending genes can explain Kitty’s response of telling her sister that she liked the environment of the store and that she would to visit it every few weeks.

Practice Exercises

Using the same planning and organisation suggested above, try to answer the following questions yourself-

________________

As Winnie begins having his meal wearing his headphones, he hears some loud static noise on them. Nevertheless, he keeps eating. After eating, he thinks to himself that his crackers tasted more bland than usual. He also realises that his flavoured soda tasted sweeter than always.

With reference to one study on background noise and taste, explain Winnie’s unusual experience of his meal. [4]

_________________

Mr. Bear visits a supermarket that is unusually crowded for a weekday afternoon. After the shopping trip, he complains of feeling very fatigued. He also complains that he did not enjoy the shopping trip at all.

With reference to one study on crowding and the PAD model, explain Mr. Bear’s response to the shopping experience. [4]

Categories
A2 - Clinical Psychology

North et.al. (2003) – Key Study

Synopsis

● To investigate whether nonclinical individuals have persecutory thoughts in virtual reality;

● The study was conducted in a restaurant in a small, affluent town in Leicestershire, UK.

● The independent variable was the type of background music played in the restaurant: classical music, pop music, or no music.

●The dependent variables were the mean spend per person for starters, main courses, desserts, coffee, bar drinks, wine, overall drinks bill, overall food bill, and total spend.

●The results showed that classical music significantly increased the mean spend per person for starters, coffee, total spend on food, and overall spend.

●There were no significant differences in spending for desserts, drinks from the bar, wine, main courses, or total spend on drinks.

● The total mean spend per person was £32.51 for classical music, £29.46 for pop music, and £29.73 for no music.

● The researchers concluded that classical music can increase customer spending, mainly on starters and coffee

Methodological Evaluation

Sampling

Sample Characteristics

Strengths

1. The study had a large number of participants.

● It had a sample size of 393 customers, which is a relatively large sample size. 

● This means that the results of the study are more likely to be accurate and reliable, as they are based on a large number of participants.

2. The study had a representative sample.

● The sample was representative of the population of interest, which was customers in an upscale restaurant in Leicestershire, UK.

● This means that the results of the study are more likely to be generalizable to other customers in similar restaurants.

Weaknesses

1. The sample of customers who ate in the restaurant during the study is not representative of the population of all customers who might visit a restaurant.

The study took place in a small, affluent town in Leicestershire, UK, where the menu was quite expensive.

This means that the findings may not apply to less affluent restaurants or restaurants in different types of locations.

2. Another weakness is that the study only spanned three weeks.

This limited time frame might not capture the full range of customer behavior over an extended period.

For example, people’s responses to classical music may change over time, and a longer study would provide a more comprehensive understanding of how background music influences consumer behavior.

Sampling Technique

● The North et al. (2003) study supports opportunity sampling.

● It involved observing and collecting data from the 393 customers who naturally dined in the upscale restaurant in Leicestershire, UK restaurant during February and March 2002.

Strengths

1. It captured a realistic sample. 

● 393 customers who ate in the restaurant between February and March 2002 were recruited for the study.

● This sample represents real-world restaurant-goers, enhancing the ecological validity of the findings.

2. Another strength is that the researchers managed to obtain a large number of participants.

● They had a sample size of 393 customers, which is a relatively large sample size. 

● This means that the results of the study are more likely to be accurate and reliable, as they are based on a large number of participants.

Weaknesses

1. One weakness is the lack of representativeness in the North et al. (2003) study. 

● The sample consisted of 393 customers from a single restaurant in a small, affluent town in Leicestershire, UK. 

● This means that the findings may not apply to less affluent restaurants or restaurants in different types of locations.

2. Another weakness is potential researcher bias in sample selection.

● The choice of a single restaurant, which served expensive à la carte food, could introduce bias because it may not be representative of typical dining establishments.

● It is possible that the selection was influenced by convenience or personal preferences, introducing bias into the study.

Operationalization of Variables

Independent Variable

  • Type of Background Music

Levels of the Independent Variable

  1. Classical Music;
  2. Pop Music;
  3. No Music

Operationalized Independent Variable

  • Specific genre of music played in the restaurant during the study.

Operationalized Levels of the Independent Variable

  1. Classical Music – Background music consisting of classical compositions by renowned classical artists, including pieces by Vivaldi, Handel, and Strauss
  1. Pop Music – Background music featuring popular music tracks from artists like Britney Spears, Culture Club, and Ricky Martin.
  1. No Music – The absence of any background music during the dining experience, creating a silent environment in the restaurant.
  • Strengths

The operationalization was well-defined, increasing validity

  • Classical music included pieces by Vivaldi, Handel, and Strauss, while pop music included tracks by Britney Spears, Culture Club, and Ricky Martin. 
  • This clear distinction ensured that the independent variable was clearly distinguishable during the experiment.

2. A counterbalanced order of music styles was presented, increasing validity.

  • The order of music styles varied from week to week.
  •  Counterbalancing the order minimized the potential influence of external factors that might vary with time, such as customer preferences or seasonal effects
  • Weaknesses

1. It lacked variation in music genres, limiting scope of findings.

  • The study only compared classical music to pop music and a control condition of no music, which limited the range of musical genres considered. 
  • This limited scope might not have captured the full range of how different types of music can affect consumer behavior. 

2. It did not account for individual music preferences, making the independent variable reductionist.

  • The research assumed that all customers have the same response to classical or pop music, without considering individual musical tastes. 

This oversimplification overlooked the possibility that some customers might have strong preferences for one genre over the other, which could significantly influence their spending behavior.

Dependent Variable

  • The (opsrationalized) dependent variables in the North et al. (2003) study were:
  1.  Mean spend per person for starters;
  2. Mean spend per person for main courses;
  3. Mean spend per person for desserts;
  4. Mean spend per person for coffee;
  5. Mean spend per person for bar drinks;
  6. Mean spend per person for wine;
  7. Mean spend per person for the overall drinks bill;
  8. Mean spend per person for the overall food bill;
  9. Mean total spend per person

Strengths

1. The operationalization of the dependent variable was precise, allowing for valid assessment.

  • It measured various aspects of spending, including starters, coffee, total food spend, and overall spend, with specific numerical values, that is,  mean spend per person. 

2. The study operationalized multiple dependent variables, increasing the scope of findings. 

  • This provided a comprehensive view of how music influences customer behavior. It covers various categories like starters, coffee, and overall food spend, enabling a thorough analysis of consumer responses to different types of music.

Examples of Controls

1. The researchers included a control condition with no music

  • This control was maintained to establish a baseline for comparison, allowing the researchers to assess the impact of different types of music on customer spending.

2. The researchers used an independent measures design. 

  • This design choice ensured that participants’ experiences were not influenced by exposure to multiple music types, reducing potential confounding variables.

3. The researchers maintained a consistent volume of music.

  • Maintaining consistent volume levels helped ensure that variations in customer spending were due to the music genre and not differences in music volume.

4. The researchers counterbalanced the order of music styles. That is, the order of music styles varied from week to week.

  • Counterbalancing the order minimized the potential influence of external factors that might vary with time, such as customer preferences or seasonal effects.

5. The researchers recorded the total time customers spent in the restaurant.

  • Tracking the time spent allowed the researchers to assess whether the type of music influenced the length of customer stays, which could, in turn, impact spending.

Research Method (Correlational Study)

Justification

  • The study conducted was a field experiment.
  • It took place in a real-world setting, specifically in a restaurant in Leicestershire, UK, rather than a controlled laboratory environment. 
  • This naturalistic context allowed the researchers to observe and manipulate the independent variable (type of music) within the restaurant’s actual operational conditions, making it a field experiment.
  • Strengths

1. It increased ecological validity. 

  • The experiment took place in an actual restaurant in a small, affluent town in the UK, with a menu that offered individual items and was quite expensive.
  • This setting closely resembled a typical dining experience.

2. It increased the ease of obtaining a sample, increasing practical viability. 

  • The researchers collected data from 393 customers who ate in the restaurant over a specific period, between February and March 2002. 
  • The sample size was large, and none of the customers were aware they were participating in a study, reducing demand characteristics. 
  • Weaknesses

1. The study lacked control over various factors that could have influenced customer behavior beyond the background music, reducing validity. 

  • For example, situational variables like lighting, menu, and temperature were kept constant, but other variables such as the quality of service, the day of the week, or special promotions were not controlled. 
  • This lack of control makes it challenging to attribute the changes in customer spending solely to the type of music played.

2. North et al. did not employ random selection of participants, reducing generalizability. 

  • The sample consisted of 393 customers who ate at the restaurant between February and March 2002. 
  • If, for example, the researchers inadvertently selected more affluent or music-sensitive individuals, it could lead to an overestimation of the effect of classical music on customer spending.

Ethical Evaluation

  • Informed Consent: The study did not explicitly mention obtaining informed consent from the 393 customers who dined in the restaurant. 
  • Since none of the participants were aware they were part of a study, it lacked informed consent as the customers were not informed about the research and did not provide their consent.
  • Right to Withdraw: The study did not mention whether the participants had the right to withdraw from the study at any point. 
  • Since the customers were not aware of their participation, they were not given the opportunity to exercise their right to withdraw.
  • Lack of Deception: The study did not involve any deception other than hiding its purpose. 
  • The customers were not misled or given false information about the purpose of the study, and they dined naturally without any hidden agendas.
  • Confidentiality: The study did not provide details about how it ensured the confidentiality of the participants’ data. 
  • Since it collected data without the customers’ knowledge, there is a lack of information on whether their personal spending habits and dining preferences were protected and kept anonymous, raising concerns about the handling of sensitive customer information.
  • Privacy: Privacy concerns are evident in this study as it collected data from unsuspecting customers without their knowledge or consent. 
  • 1They were not given the opportunity to decide whether they wanted to participate in a study that involved tracking their dining behavior.
  • Debriefing: The study did not mention any debriefing process for the participants since they were unaware of their participation. 
  • Debriefing could have been important to inform participants about the study and its objectives after their dining experience.
  • Lack of Physical Harm: The study did not pose any physical harm to the participants.
  • It involved playing music in a restaurant setting, which is generally harmless.
  • Lack of Psychological Harm: The study did not mention any psychological harm inflicted on the participants. 

It focused on the impact of music on customer spending, which is not expected to cause psychological harm.

Issues and Debates

Individual and Situational Explanations

The study provides a strong situational explanation for the impact of music on consumer behavior.The research found that classical music significantly increased the mean spend per person for starters, coffee, total spend on food, and overall spend. This indicates that the situational factor of playing classical music in the restaurant had a direct influence on customer spending.

1. The situational explanation reduces individual blame on customers for their spending behavior.

  • In the study, customers were not aware they were part of an experiment, and the restaurant did not collect data on their musical preferences. 
  • This lack of individual data supports the idea that the situational factor of music was the driving force behind increased spending.

2. The situational explanation offers a practical approach to changing consumer behavior.

  • Since the study identifies that changing the background music to classical can increase customer spending, it provides a straightforward strategy for restaurants and businesses to increase customer spending. 
  • Weaknesses of Individual Explanation

1. The situational explanation reduces individual blame on customers for their spending behavior.

  • In the study, customers were not aware they were part of an experiment, and the restaurant did not collect data on their musical preferences. 
  • This lack of individual data supports the idea that the situational factor of music was the driving force behind increased spending.

2. The situational explanation offers a practical approach to changing consumer behavior.

  • Since the study identifies that changing the background music to classical can increase customer spending, it provides a straightforward strategy for restaurants and businesses to increase customer spending. 

Reductionism versus Holism

  • The study supports a reductionist explanation because it isolates the influence of background music (classical vs. pop vs. no music) as the independent variable, simplifying the factors that could affect customer spending.
  • This reductionist approach is evident as the study solely focuses on the impact of music type on spending while keeping situational variables like lighting and menu constant.

Strengths

1. The reductionist explanation offers a practical approach to changing consumer behavior.

  • Since the study identifies that changing the background music to classical can increase customer spending, it provides a straightforward strategy for restaurants and businesses to increase customer spending. 

2. It offers a straightforward and easily replicable framework for future research in this field.

  • The methodology used in this study, involving playing different types of music in a restaurant setting and measuring customer spending, can be easily replicated in other contexts or with variations. 
  • This simplicity in design allows researchers to investigate the impact of background music on consumer behavior in various settings, like malls, retail stores, etc. making it an ideal foundation for further studies..

  • Weaknesses of Nomothetic Approach

1. The study’s focus on the impact of classical music on customer spending ignores other potential influences on spending.

  • This includes personal preferences, demographics, and social factors. 
  • The quality of service, the menu presentation, or the restaurant’s ambiance, could have also influence spending behavior in the restaurant.

2. The study’s findings may not be generalizable to everyone.

  • The study only included 393 customers from one particular restaurant during a short time frame.

This sample may not represent the diverse range of consumers found in different locations and types of restaurants.

Determinism versus Free Will

Justification

  • The study supports a deterministic explanation.
  • It demonstrated that the type of background music (classical or pop), had a significant influence on customer spending. 
  • Classical music significantly increased the mean spend per person for starters, coffee, total food spend, and overall spend, regardless of individual preferences or intentions. 

Strengths

1. The deterministic explanation offers an easy controllable approach to changing consumer behavior.

  • Since the study identifies that changing the background music to classical can increase customer spending, it provides a straightforward strategy for restaurants and businesses to increase customer spending. 

2. The deterministic explanation reduces individual blame on customers for their spending behavior.

  • In the study, customers were not aware they were part of an experiment, and the restaurant did not collect data on their musical preferences. 
  • This lack of free-will data supports the idea that the deterministic factor of music was the driving force behind increased spending.

Weaknesses

1. The deterministic explanation does not encourage personal responsibility in explaining spending behavior.

  • It focuses on external factors like classical music’s influence, but doesn’t consider personal responsibility in managing one’s spending habits. 
  • For instance, an individual’s budgeting skills, and self-control also play a significant role in their spending behavior, which this study doesn’t address.

2. This study’s deterministic explanation overlooks the influence of free-will choices, making it reductionist. 

  • It assumes that playing classical music directly causes higher customer spending.
  • For example, the study doesn’t take into account that some diners might have a personal preference for classical music, which could have influenced their willingness to spend more.

Generalizability of Findings

Strengths

1. It captured a realistic sample. 

  • 393 customers who ate in the restaurant between February and March 2002 were recruited for the study. 
  • This sample represents real-world restaurant-goers, enhancing the ecological validity of the findings.

2. Another strength is that the researchers managed to obtain a large number of participants.

  • They had a sample size of 393 customers, which is a relatively large sample size. 
  • This means that the results of the study are more likely to be accurate and reliable, as they are based on a large number of participants.

Weaknesses

1. One weakness is the lack of representativeness of the sample in the North et al. (2003) study. 

  • The sample consisted of 393 customers from a single restaurant in a small, affluent town in Leicestershire, UK. 
  • This means that the findings may not apply to less affluent restaurants or restaurants in different types of locations.

Another weakness is potential researcher bias in sample selection.

  • The choice of a single restaurant, which served expensive à la carte food, could introduce bias because it may not be representative of typical dining establishments.
  • It is possible that the selection was influenced by convenience or personal preferences, introducing bias into the study.

Validity

Strengths

1. A counterbalanced order of music styles was presented, increasing validity.

  • The order of music styles varied from week to week.
  •  Counterbalancing the order minimized the potential influence of external factors that might vary with time, such as customer preferences or seasonal effects

2. The use of an independent groups design in the study minimised order effects, increasing validity. 

  • Since each table of diners experienced only one type of music or no music, there was no chance for participants to be influenced by the order in which they heard classical or pop music.
  • This design helped ensure that the differences in spending were due to the music type itself rather than any order-related biases.

Weaknesses

1. The study lacked control over various factors that could have influenced customer behavior beyond the background music, reducing validity. 

  • For example, situational variables like lighting, menu, and temperature were kept constant, but other variables such as the quality of service, the day of the week, or special promotions were not controlled. 
  • This lack of control makes it challenging to attribute the changes in customer spending solely to the type of music played.

2. It didn’t control for individual differences between participants, reducing validity. 

  • Each participant experienced only one type of music or no music, which means that there could have been inherent differences between the groups that influenced their spending behavior. 
  • For example, some participants might have had higher incomes or different spending habits, which could have skewed the results.

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Categories
A2 - Clinical Psychology

Case Study of Schizophrenia (Aneja et.al.)

________ = most important text;

________ = important text;

________ = illustrative text (examples);

________ = text to memorise as is (facts and figures)

Description of the Case

The case study involves a boy who experienced a troubled upbringing and had a history of aggression. He had unusual physical features like an elongated face and big ears. After his parents’ divorce, he lived with his grandparents, and his academic performance deteriorated. The boy exhibited symptoms of schizophrenia such as hearing voices, suspicion towards his mother, muttering and shouting at unseen individuals, social withdrawal, poor sleep, and lack of self-care. He was initially prescribed sodium valproate, a drug used for bipolar disorder, which temporarily improved his mood and behavior but later worsened. Eventually, he received a diagnosis of very early-onset schizophrenia (VEOS), leading to increased aggression and frequent hospital admissions for safety reasons.

Relevant Issues and Debates

Case Studies

The Aneja et. al. is a case study because it is a detailed investigation of a single case because it examines the life and experiences of a specific boy with a troubled upbringing and a history of aggression. It provides a comprehensive account of his background, symptoms, treatment, and outcomes. Furthermore, it qualifies as a long-term investigation as it follows the boy’s progression over time, documenting his changing symptoms, the effects of different medications, and his frequent hospital admissions for safety concerns.

Strengths of Case Studies

1. The use of a case study in the Aneja et.al. study allows for a detailed investigation of the boy’s background, experiences, and symptoms. For example, the study provides specific information about the boy’s troubled home, his parents’ divorce, living with his grandparents, deteriorating academic performance, and a range of symptoms including hearing voices, suspicion towards his mother, and social withdrawal. This level of detail helps researchers and readers gain a comprehensive understanding of the case and its complexities.

2. The case study in the Aneja et.al. study offers insights from multiple perspectives, enabling a more comprehensive analysis of the boy’s condition. For instance, it highlights the observations and assessments made by different professionals involved in his treatment, such as psychologists, psychiatrists, and other healthcare providers.

Weaknesses of Case Studies

1. The case study of the boy’s experience cannot be generalized to the entire population due to its specific and unique circumstances. The study focuses on an individual case with a troubled upbringing, aggression, and a specific diagnosis of very early-onset schizophrenia (VEOS). This limits the generalizability of the findings to other individuals with different backgrounds, behaviors, and mental health conditions.

2. The qualitative nature of the case study introduces subjectivity and potential bias in interpreting and reporting the boy’s symptoms and responses to treatment. The study relies on subjective observations, interpretations, and narratives from the researchers, which may vary between different observers or researchers. 

Individual and Situational Approach

This case study supports both an individual and a situational explanation. Individually, his physical features, such as a long face and elongated ears suggest some genetic or neurological damage. Situational factors like his parents’ divorce, living with his grandparents, and academic decline also played a role in his deteriorating mental health. 

Strengths of Individual and Situational Approaches

1. Determining that the source of the boy’s aggressive behavior and mental health issues is situational can help reduce blame on individuals and increase responsibility of society in preventing schizophrenia. For example, the boy’s troubled upbringing, including his aggressive father and the disruption caused by his parents’ divorce, contributed to his behavioral problems. 

2. Determining that the source of the boy’s behavior is an interplay of individual and situational factors can help develop multifaceted interventions to tackle complex problems. For instance, understanding the boy’s genetic predisposition for very early-onset schizophrenia (VEOS) along with the environmental factors such as his troubled upbringing and disrupted schooling allowed for a holistic approach to treatment. For example, he was given medication to manage very early-onset schizophrenia (VEOS), therapy to develop coping strategies and address family dynamics, social support and education to reduce stigma and increase awareness.

Weaknesses of Individual and Situational Approaches

1. It is challenging to separate the influence of individual factors, such as the boy’s genetic predisposition to schizophrenia, from situational factors, such as his troubled upbringing and parental aggression. Both likely interacted and contributed to the development and worsening of the boy’s condition. 

2. The study exhibits a weakness in adequately addressing situational factors. Although the study highlights the boy’s troubled upbringing and its potential impact on his behavior, it fails to delve deeper into the specific situational factors that may have contributed to his symptoms of VEOS. For example, the study does not extensively explore the influence of the boy’s school environment, peer interactions, or social support systems, which could play a significant role in his condition.

Use of Children

Strengths of Use of Children

1. One strength of using children in the Aneja et al study is that it provides valuable insights into understanding very early-onset schizophrenia (VEOS). The case study illustrates the progression of symptoms in a young boy, showcasing the challenges faced by children with VEOS. For example, the boy’s aggressive and violent outbursts increased over time, leading to frequent hospital admissions for his safety. 

2. Another strength of the study is its contribution to understanding the development of schizophrenia in children. By examining the case history, researchers can identify potential risk factors and early signs of the disorder. In this case, the boy’s troubled upbringing, parental divorce, academic decline, and the presence of specific symptoms (e.g., hearing voices, social withdrawal) offer insights into the complex interplay between environmental factors and the emergence of schizophrenia at a young age. 

Weaknesses of Use of Children

1. The study may raise ethical concerns regarding the well-being and consent of the child participant. In the case study, the child’s aggressive and violent outbursts increased after being diagnosed with very early-onset schizophrenia. The study’s involvement could have potentially caused additional emotional and psychological harm to the child, as they were already vulnerable due to their difficult upbringing.

2. Aneja et al’s study may face methodological limitations when studying children, such as potential biases and challenges in data collection. However, due to the child’s young age and limited verbal abilities, it may have been challenging for the researchers to accurately assess the frequency, intensity, and content of these hallucinations. 

Idiographic versus Nomothetic Approach

The case study by Aneja et al. supports an idiographic approach because it provides a detailed and individualized account of a specific case of schizophrenia. The description includes specific details about the boy’s troubled home, his symptoms, and the treatments he received, offering a unique understanding of his condition.

Strengths of Idiographic Approach

1. The idiographic approach in the study is more realistic as it accounts for the complexity of human behavior. By examining the specific details of the boy’s troubled upbringing, family dynamics, and personal experiences, the study captures the complex factors that contribute to his behavior, providing a more comprehensive understanding of his condition.

2.  The idiographic approach in the study can help design personalized interventions to resolve the problems of patients. By uncovering the unique factors contributing to the boy’s aggressive behavior, social withdrawal, and poor sleep, personalized interventions can be tailored to address his specific needs, such as therapy focused on trauma from his troubled home and implementing strategies to improve his sleep hygiene.

Weaknesses of Idiographic Approach

1. The idiographic approach in the Aneja et al study focuses on a single case history of a boy with very early-onset schizophrenia (VEOS). This individual case provides detailed insights into the boy’s experiences and symptoms. However, because it focuses on a specific individual, the findings may not be generalizable to a larger population. For example, the boy’s aggressive behavior and response to medication may be unique to his circumstances and condition.

2. Although the idiographic approach provides rich details about an individual’s experiences, it does not offer guidance on designing interventions that can be applied to larger groups facing similar issues. For example, the study does not explore broader treatment strategies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy or group interventions, which could be beneficial for individuals with schizophrenia beyond the specific case examined in the study.

Generalizability of Findings

Strengths of Generalizability of Findings

1. The study demonstrates ecological validity by providing a detailed case study that reflects real-life circumstances and contexts. For example, the study includes information about the boy’s troubled upbringing, his living arrangements, and his academic struggles, which are common factors that can influence a child’s mental health. 

2. The study holds generalizability to Indian culture to an extent by focusing on a case from India and examining the specific challenges faced by individuals in this cultural context. For instance, the study discusses the boy’s experience of living with his grandparents after his parents’ divorce, which is a common arrangement in Indian families. Thus, the study’s findings can be applied to similar cases within the Indian cultural context, enhancing their generalizability.

Weaknesses of Generalizability of Findings

1. A potential weakness of the study is the small sample size, as it focuses on a single case study. This limits the generalizability of the findings, as the results may not be applicable to a larger population. For example, the study does not consider factors such as age, gender, or comorbidities that may impact treatment outcomes in a larger sample of individuals with VEOS.

2. The study by may not be generalizable because the boy’s aggressive behavior and family dynamics in the case study are unique and may not be representative of the general population with very early-onset schizophrenia (VEOS) who come from different family backgrounds or have different environmental factors For instance, the boy’s aggressive behavior may be influenced by the specific dynamics of his troubled home environment, such as the presence of an aggressive father. 

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Categories
A2 - Organisational Psychology

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

________ = most important text;

________ = important text;

________ = illustrative text (examples);

________ = text to memorise as is (facts and figures)

Description of the Theory

Maslow’s theory of motivation at work suggests that individuals have five basic needs arranged in a hierarchical pyramid. The needs include physiological needs, safety needs, love and belongingness needs, esteem needs, and self-actualization needs. Maslow believed that these needs must be fulfilled in order, starting from the bottom, for motivation to increase. In the workplace, employees prioritize fulfilling their basic physiological and safety needs, such as adequate wages and a safe environment. Once these needs are met, they seek love and belongingness, including acceptance and social interaction. Finally, employees strive for esteem and self-actualization, desiring respect, recognition, personal growth, autonomy, and freedom.

Relevant Issues and Debates

Application to Everyday Life

Strengths of Application to Everyday Life

1. By addressing employees’ basic needs, organizations can create an environment that enhances motivation. For example, by ensuring employees have enough wages to meet their physiological needs, such as buying food and staying warm, organizations can motivate them.

2. Another strength is the theory’s potential to prevent problems at the workplace. For instance, providing a pension plan and maintaining a safe workplace can help employees feel protected and valued.

Weaknesses of Application to Everday Life

1. The application of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs to everyday life lacks ecological validity as it oversimplifies the complex nature of human motivation. For example, it suggests that once physiological and safety needs are met, an individual will automatically prioritize love and belongingness needs. However, in reality, a person with achievement orientation would prioritize esteem needs.


2. The application of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs to everyday life shows cultural bias by assuming a universal hierarchy of needs that applies to all individuals. In reality, collectivist cultures prioritize belongingness needs over individualistic cultures, which prioritize esteem needs and self-actualization.

Individual and Situational Explanations

Maslow’s theory supports an individual explanation because it focuses on the individual’s needs and motivations within the workplace.. It emphasizes the individual’s progression through the hierarchy of needs and their personal fulfillment, rather than situational factors.

Strengths of the Individual Explanation

1. The individual explanation has application in the workplace. By addressing employees’ basic needs, organizations can create an environment that enhances motivation. For example, by ensuring employees have enough wages to meet their physiological needs, such as buying food and staying warm, organizations can motivate them.

2. The individual explanation emphasizes the role of personal responsibility in fulfilling higher-level needs. For instance, an employee can actively seek opportunities for advancement, engage in decision-making processes, or participate in skill-enhancing courses to fulfill their esteem and self-actualization needs. 

Weaknesses of the Individual Explanation

1. The theory neglects the interaction of individual and situational factors in the workplace. For instance, it fails to acknowledge that factors such as organizational culture, leadership style, and job characteristics can significantly influence an employees’ needs, thereby, his motivation.


2. The individual explanation reduces workplace motivation by limiting it to a hierarchical model of basic needs. It fails to consider the various psychological, social, and environmental factors that shape an individual’s motivation. For example, personal goals, career aspirations, job satisfaction, etc.

Cultural Differences

Maslow’s theory does not support cultural differences because it assumes a universal hierarchy of needs. However, cultural values and priorities can vary, influencing which needs are considered more important. For example, individualistic cultures may prioritize self-actualization, while collectivist cultures may prioritize belongingness needs.

Strengths of Cultural Differences

1. Understanding cultural variations in the importance placed on various needs can help organizations create inclusive environments for all employees. For example, recognizing that some individuals prioritize esteem needs over social needs can help strategize individual accomplishments, job titles, promotions, etc.

2. The nomothetic approach of Maslow’s theory allows for recognizing cultural variations in the prioritization of needs, when applied to different cultures. For instance, while esteem needs may be significant for individualistic cultures, collectivistic cultures might emphasize belongingness needs.

Weaknesses of Cultural Differences

1. One weakness of cultural differences is the potential of stereotyping in the workplace. For example, assuming that employees from collectivist cultures lack esteem needs and thereby the ambition to pursue higher-level positions may prevent them from achieving their full potential.

2. Another weakness is the presence of ethnocentrism in the workplace. For instance, in a multinational company with a predominantly Western cultural orientation, the organization may highlight individual accomplishments following esteem needs. However, employees from Asian cultures who value collective achievements would feel rejected as their belongingness needs would not be met.

Determinism versus Free Will

Maslow’s theory supports a free will perspective. It suggests that individuals have the freedom to progress through different stages based on their choices and experiences. For example, when basic physiological needs are met, employees have the freedom to pursue higher needs like esteem and self-actualization through job decisions and personal growth.

Strengths of Free Will

1. The free will perspective acknowledges that individuals have the autonomy and agency to satisfy their needs in the workplace. For example, an employee can work towards satisfying his self-actualization needs by seeking personal growth opportunities, such as enrolling in skill development courses.

2. The free will perspective has good ecological validity because it acknowledges that people are not solely driven by external factors but also by their internal desires and aspirations. For instance, Maslow’s hierarchy highlights that employees have diverse needs beyond just basic survival or financial security. 

Weaknesses of Free Will

1. The free will perspective overlooks organizational factors and places undue blame on individuals for their motivational state. For example, if an employee is demotivated due to low wages or an unsafe workplace, solely attributing their lack of motivation to personal choice neglects the impact of external circumstances that may be beyond their control.


2. It  overlooks how various external factors can impact behavior, making it challenging to control. For instance, if an employee’s physiological needs are not met, by being given insufficient wages to afford food, expecting him to show optimal behavior is unrealistic.

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