The Importance of Controlled Research Trials in Abnormal Psychology

 The Importance of Controlled Research Trials in Abnormal Psychology

Researchers in abnormal psychology are often interested in learning which treatments work for specific disorders. One way to do this is to conduct controlled research trials. In a controlled research trial, participants are randomly assigned to two or more groups. One group receives the treatment being studied, while the other group(s) receive a placebo or no treatment. The placebo is a fake treatment that looks and feels like the real treatment, but it does not contain any active ingredients. This type of study design helps to ensure that any differences between the groups are due to the treatment and not to other factors, such as the participants' expectations or the natural course of the disorder.

There are two main types of controlled research trials:

1. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are the gold standard for testing the effectiveness of treatments. In an RCT, participants are randomly assigned to the treatment group or the control group. This helps to ensure that the groups are as similar as possible, except for the treatment they receive.
2. Case-control studies compare people who have a disorder (the cases) to people who do not have the disorder (the controls). The researchers then look for differences between the two groups, such as differences in their exposure to a particular treatment.

Key features of an experimental design.

 

Key features of an experimental design.

• Correlational research can only show that there is an association between two variables, but it cannot tell us whether one variable causes the other.
• Experimental research is used to draw conclusions about causality. In an experiment, the researcher manipulates one variable (the independent variable) and then measures the effect of that manipulation on another variable (the dependent variable).
• To control for other factors that could affect the dependent variable, participants are randomly assigned to different groups.
• One group typically receives the treatment (the experimental condition), while the other group does not (the control condition).
• After the experiment is completed, the data from the two groups are compared to see if there is a difference between them.

In other words, experimental research is a more rigorous way to study cause and effect than correlational research. It is important to note, however, that even experiments cannot always prove causation with 100% certainty. There is always the possibility of other factors that could be causing the observed effect.

Here are some additional points about experimental research:

• The independent variable is the variable that the researcher manipulates. It is also called the treatment variable.
• The dependent variable is the variable that the researcher measures. It is also called the outcome variable.
• The control group is the group of participants that do not receive the treatment. This group is used to compare to the experimental group to see if there is a difference between the

Random assignment is used to ensure that the two groups are as similar as possible. This helps to reduce the likelihood that any differences between the groups are due to factors other than the treatment. Experimental research can be used to study a wide variety of phenomena, including the effects of medications, educational interventions, and environmental factors.

References

 Hooley, J. M., Nock, M. K., & Butcher, J. N. (2019).     AbnormalPsychology(18thed.).Pearson              Education(US).https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/books/9780135191033

 Hallucinogens and Psychedelics

Hallucinogens are a class of drugs that can alter a person's perception of reality. They can cause people to see, hear, smell, taste, or feel things that are not there. Hallucinogens can also cause changes in mood, thought, and behavior.

Some common hallucinogens include:

• LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide)
• Psilocybin (found in mushrooms)
• Mescaline (found in the peyote cactus)
• PCP (phencyclidine)
• DMT (N, N-Dimethyltryptamine)
  

Hallucinogens can be taken in a variety of ways, including swallowing them, smoking them, or injecting them. The effects of hallucinogens can vary depending on the drug, the dose, and the person taking it.

The effects of hallucinogens can be mild or severe. Mild effects may include:

• 
  Changes in perception, such as seeing things that are not there
• Changes in mood, such as feeling happy, sad, or scared
• Changes in thought, such as having strange ideas or thoughts
• Changes in behavior, such as becoming withdrawn or talkative

Severe effects of hallucinogens may include:

• Panic attacks
• Hallucinations that are disturbing or frightening
• Psychosis
• Persisting perception disorder (HPPD)
•  which is a condition in which people continue to experience hallucinations after they have stopped taking the drug

Hallucinogens can be dangerous, and they can have serious side effects. People who take hallucinogens are at risk of accidents, injuries, and violence. They may also experience long-term psychological problems, such as anxiety, depression, and psychosis.

If you or someone you know has used hallucinogens and is experiencing problems, there is help available. Please reach out to a mental health professional or call the National Drug Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

References

Capuzzi, D., & Stauffer, M. D. (2019). Foundations of Addictions Counseling (4th ed.).PearsonEducation(US).https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/books/9780135169858