Sunday, May 22, 2011

The Crime Assignments

How to do the crime psychology assignments

Assignment 14 is quite straightforward.  Describe and discuss (evaluate in other words) influences on eye-witness testimony (EWT);  do the same for one of the other topics.  (ID Parades,  Criminal Profiling and Police Interviews.)

EWT is susceptible to many influences, but really I should stick to those two or three that have most information available.  Such as the effect of leading questions, which will allow you to introduce the Loftus and Palmer accident research. 


   
Or the effect of culture and race,  demonstrated by Allport on the Subway train.  Or weapon focus and the effect of emotion. 



What about the problems interviewing children or the aged?  I gave out a couple of handouts which could help, but Gross is very good – see the chapter on Cognition and Law in either the 5th or 6th edition.

Of the other three, profiling and police interviews are the best to choose from.  Rember that evaluation is the important thing.  How much use is profiling?  As psychologists, you will probably guess that it isn’t that good!  What about the Cognitive Interview?  Again, what research has been done to  test its efficiency?  And don’t be frightened of criticising the police if it is shown that they can’t interview for toffee!     

And now for your break...




Assignment 15 is, I think more interesting.  You will find information in a variety of places, but a good source is the jury handout pack (4 sheets from the diagrams book).

For the first part, straightforward description and evaluation.  Look for research that says the prettier, more attractive the defendant, or the victim or for that matter any witness the more sympathetic the jury.  Look for anything else that at the psychological level may sway a jury.  Sections 24.1 and 24.2 in the handout are really helpful here.  Be careful not to get carried away!     

The second part asks for an analysis of the way the jury would or could have been affected in the trial of Louise Woodward.  Some of you may remember this at the time it was all unfolding.   There are loads of suggestions and allegations in the article that can be examined psychologically, including e.g. the ethnicity of the victim and family, the order of presentation of evidence and many others which are mentioned and described in the handout.  Also, there is the Angles on criminal psychology book by Diana Dwyer, available in the library and other resources in M41.  You can also ask me.  


And guess what - only one more assignment after this...  By the way, don't do Assignment 16 until you've seen me, and definitely don't do assignment 17!!    



                                        

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Insanity - What is it?

Insanity - what is it?


Basically, this is about Assignment 8.  What is madness?  More to the point, how can we define abnormal behaviour?  The assignment asks for you to choose three out of the five, describe/explain and evaluate them.  You know how to do this by now.  You see, the assignment appeared at the beginning of last year's course and the headings in task 2 are designed to help people evaluate.  So you can set the assignment out as a standard piece of writing - describe/evaluate one approach, describe evaluate second approach, describe evaluate third approach, finish off with perhaps a paragraph that brings it all together.

You can actually find all that you need to achieve a pass in the Class Notebook and the handout for DSM IV.  This mindmap is on the website  - in fact, look at the abnormal psychology page.    There's a fair bit of help there.  Gross is helpful.  Used the index to find things like classification systems.  About 750 - 1000 words if you feel you need a ball-park figure.  Remember that an opinion expressed in a text book is perfectly OK as a reference of supporting or contradicting evidence for an approach.

But you can in fact find much more outside the website.  For example, if you choose to discuss classification methods, then you should include discussion on Rosenhahn (1973) "On being sane in insane places".    

The picture is of Bedlam, a famous picture from Rakes Progress.  It is not a picture of room M41 on a bad day.

Meanwhile, here is a picture about as far from Bedlam as you can get.  You could try doing your assignment there, but I expect the laptop would fall through the hammock.




Saturday, April 30, 2011

Hints for Assignment 7

 It's about quality of daycare.  Here is a picture of some ducks and quakity of daycare. (Excuse the typo)


2 possible ways to do Assignment 7: 
(i)   Shut your eyes.  Don’t think about it.  It might go away.  (Not recommended!)

(ii)  Read up the work on daycare and enrichment studies.  See what other resources might be available.  Do a bit every day so that it’s finished well before the deadline.  Drink tea, coffee, alcohol or whatever at the appropriate times.  Hand it in or email it on time.  (Recommended)

Here is a typical Combi Psychology class of 1925 working at assignment 7:



Here’s a bit of help for method (ii).  First, you need to read the articles in the assignment.  Get to know what the assignment is about.  There are two articles here, one is about the long term effects of the quality of daycare;  the other is about enrichment programmes.  Enrichment programmes are usually politically based with the intention of putting lots of money into enriching the early years learning of children before mainstream schooling, i.e. three to five year olds. The first of these was project Headstart, set up by President John F Kennedy in the 1960s to help under privileged children in American Southern States.  It is mentioned in your class booklet, along with some evaluation.

Quality of Daycare – Stimulus 1.  Apart from the info in the class book, there is also info in Gross page 554  (5th Edition)  or page 502 (6th Edition).  There is a daycare mindmap on the website (link here).  You should  be starting to notice that there are things said in the articles that might agree or disagree with the text books.  Your job, for the assignment, is to use these as a jump-off point to discuss the issues.  The first issue is about working mothers leaving their children.  What does Bowlby say about this?  And was he right?  So already, there is the start of a small discussion with some possible evaluation.

OK.  Time for a break


Enrichment studies – Stimulus 2.  Same places for information, but there is an extra section about increasing IQ in the class booklet.  Basically, you should describe and evaluate enrichment projects generally and Headstart in particular, then describe the English system (Surestart and Helpcentres) and say whether you think they are working (they weren’t originally) and whether you think they will be successful, basing your answer, of course, on existing research.  And haven’t  you just been reading up on existing research?

And now, you show just how happy you are that you've finished.
Still having problems?   Some of you wanted some hints for evaluation.  Basically, it's this:  Does the research or theory that you're looking at, do or say what it's supposed to?  If it doesn't, where is it wrong, and what empirical support is there for you? (In other words, is there research to support what you say?)  Then, if it isn't right, where is it weak?  Then, outline some research which agrees with the theory and some research that disagrees.  Finally, look at the strengths and weaknesses.  Remember, there might not be strengths, or weaknesses!  So, think of Bowlby.  His monotropic theory tries to explain attachment and bonding.  That certainly is what the theory is about, so it is valid.  What does it do well?  It suggests that attachment is a survival process and that it is most probably inherited. What does it do badly?  It says that only mothers can be attached, or at least that is most important, and that the attachment of mother is essential to development.  But Shaffer and Emerson say that there is more than one attachment and that may not be female or mother.  Can you see how evaluation works any more clearly now?  If you need more help, then ask me.

And finally, your reward for doing the assignment.

   

Monday, April 11, 2011

The BIG Unit: 6 Credits!

Here are some notes and hints which reinforce the stuff we’ve been doing in the run up to the Easter Hols.


Let me just go over, once again, how I would like you to do these assignments.  (Of course, you can try them any way you like really, as long as the criteria are met.)   Assignment 11 is about the contribution each piece has made in the study of psychology.  You can concentrate here on the autism study by Baron-Cohen.  You should describe and evaluate the study first, using information from the assignment package, Gross textbook and any other resource.  But I suggest that you try to avoid the web because there is the possibility of overkill.   Also, you will encounter referencing difficulties.  Then, explain how it supports the ‘theory of mind’ explanation of autistic behaviour.  Finally, mention the other two studies (Zimbardo and Bandura) and say how they have contributed to our knowledge and understanding of human behaviour.  Remember the focus of this assignment is on the Sally’s marbles research – the other two pieces are dealt with in the other two assignments!

Time for a little reward.  


OK.  Hope you enjoyed that nice cup of tea and feel a bit better!

Assignment 12 is about ethics and methodology.  For this assignment you should be concentrating on the Stanford Prison Experiment.  Describe what was done, and evaluate the method as well as the research.  Again, the information is available in the class booklet.  There are also bnumerous sites on the web, some of which I have linked to from my website.  But then you should evaluate the ethics of the experiment, not just a review of the ethical principles but thye wider implications.  Was the research necessary?  Did the results justify the means?  Here, you should reference some ethical criticism where you can, but you also entitled to say whether you think participants were harmed based on your viewing of the video evidence.  Don’t forget also to consider the ethics around Bandura, and Sally’s marbles. (Remember the participants were children, and in the autism research they were also psychologically disadvantaged.)

Time for a bit more motivation.  You need this by now!

Feeling better?  

Assignment 13 is about the application of psychological research.  It’s great knowing all this stuff about psychology, but what use does it have?  Well, Bandura’s BoBo-Doll research has been used as a support for many theories and issues.  The original research was to develop a theory of aggression via imitative, or vicarious learning.  But in recent years, it has been used as a platform to argue the effects of violent videos on children and young people.  “Everybody knows that children who play violent video games and watch violent TV will become violent through imitating the characters in the videos.”   But everybody doesn’t know, because they haven’t done the research to find out.  So, to do Assignment 13, you should concentrate on Bandura’s research (describe and evaluate it) and then discuss the video violence issue, producing evidence for your discussion.  The best answers here will have two or three examples of research supporting and challenging the  video aggression argument.

Time for another quick break


I’ve put a new page into the website, especially for this unit, because the materials and resources are so scattered!  You could do worse than visit it by clicking here!
And remember, it may seem like a lot of work, but this unit does carry SIX BIG FAT CREDITS.

So, you’ve finished the big unit.  (Sounds like IKEA doesn’t it!)  Go on.  Relax.  Party.  You know you deserve it!


Sunday, April 10, 2011

The KISS Principle in Operation

Oh dear, it's decision time for me!  Will it be a separate blog for the Combi ladies with new pages and a complicated linking system with blogs all over the place?  


Or perhaps I can just make two posts on the same day and let you read what you find most useful.  Or enjoyable.  Or whatever. The KISS Principle says "Combi class Assignment 6 - one post.  Main Course - Key Studies Assignments - another post.


The KISS principle won!  Jeff listens to his own advice!  So here is:
Just step back and look at the requirements of this assignment. You only need to concentrate on TWO of the topics. It’s your choice as to which two. But here are some pointers as to what is needed as a minimum to PASS the assignment.

First, a note about evaluation. Most of the resources you will be using have an evaluation section. You should start there. Evaluation should include (a) Is the research ‘good’ research (Oh how I detest value judgements!) in other words, does it show or demonstrate or explain what it sets out to do? (b) What doesn’t it do or explain? (c) Find some (at least one) empirical study or studies that support the research and (d) find some that either don’t support it or at least offer an alternative explanation.

Here's a bit of motivation for you.         


Bowlby’s monotropic theory.

Start by describing the theory. Hint – see the website! This is really about maternal deprivation. You have to evaluate the theory, and this implies that you should pose the question “What if attachment to mother is broken for some reason?” How might mental health be affected? So deal with the 44 thieves research, and evaluate it. That’s the minimum for this section. You might be so interested that you can’t stop and want to discuss privation and deprivation generally, who am I to criticise?

Harlow and Zimmerman.

This is one of several pieces of research published by Harlow and one or more of his colleagues. Basically, it’s Harlow and his rhesus monkeys. Describe the research in terms of aim – method – results – conclusion. Include evidence of strength of attachment, however distasteful you may feel about it. In fact, a brief evaluation of the ethics in Harlow’s research would not go un-noticed! But don’t forget there were two parts to Harlow’s research. Not only was there the investigation of ‘cupboard love’ theory, but also the effect of returning the subject monkeys to the rest of the herd. And make sure you evaluate. See the book page 65.

Schaffer and Emerson

Phases of attachment based on the longitudinal study of 60 Glasgow families. Nuff said.

Ainsworth and Bell.

Sensitive responsiveness and the strange situation. Types of attachment. Loads of opportunity for evaluation here. The really ambitious ones among you will go on to discuss the cross-cultural element. Often a long answer to this part, but if you are interested you can easily get carried away. I don’t mind, and again, it won’t go un-noticed!

If you find a connection between the two you are writing about, then mention it. For example, the strange situation relies on a characteristic of attachment described by Schaffer and Emerson...

By this time you are probably feeling like this:


Well, cheer up!  If you are reading this at the start of the holidays, you've got ages to think about it.  On the other hand, if it's due in tomorrow...



Friday, March 18, 2011

Hello! I'm back!

So, it’s been a while since anything new appeared on this blog.  Here is a recap for both courses – the Combi Course especially – who are now into assignments big-time.

Combi Course should now be finishing off Assignment 4 and really getting into Assignment 5.  If you haven’t already realised, the Full Psychology groups will have already completed these.  What’s more, the same advice given to them applies – so here are links to the earlier posts to help you.  The Assignment 5 essay advice needs sound to run it.

Assignment 10 is now in the frame.  Just when you thought all the stress of presentation week was over, Jeff goes and dumps Assignment 10 on you.   Unfortunately, not everyone was able to come to the advice sessions, so here are some hints.

Assignment 10 is a bringing together of the research methods unit.  You’ve already done Assignments 1 and 2.  (Combi ought to to read this as well!) This time, you are looking at real research that you have studied and become familiar with.  Assignment 10 asks you to choose some and evaluate the methods used.  You need to find some examples of the research, and I can see that might be a problem.  Life’s full of little problems I guess.  Have a glass of wine.  It won't solve the problems, but it makes them a bit more manageable! 


  Here are examples of the research methods in action!
  •          Correlation:  Bowlby 44 thieves perhaps?  (Which two variables are related? Might it be separation and later delinquency?)
  •          Experiment:  Klaus & Kennell? (Is there an IV, a DV and an experimental design?  If so, it’s an experiment most likely)
  •          Case Study:  Doesn’t have to be one person, could be a small group.  Bulldog Banks springs to mind, but there are others)
  •          Questionnaire/survey:  Look closely at Thomas and Chess, and ask yourself, how did they get the information about temperament?
  •          Observation:  I suspect Rosenhahn and colleagues had some observations to make when they were stuck in those insane places!  What type of observational study was this?  Participant or non-participant?  Covert?  This study is full of evaluative points.
  •          Longitudinal Studies:  Most developmental studies.  You might consider Tizard et al.

Remember – only THREE for the assignment!  And remember – you should focus on evaluating the method itself – although obviously an evaluation of the research would not go unnoticed!

By the way, if you should need more help in evaluating the methods (and there is a fair amount in the class booklet) then look here in my website.

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Christmas is gone but the Assignments haven’t

As I write this, the snow has all but melted away, there are a couple of extra inches on the waistline and thoughts go towards the end of the holiday.  When I get around to it...






Assignment 4 Again


Enough of that! But just in case you are still struggling with Assignment 4, here are some suggestions that may help.


Possibly the most difficult part is finding a health improvement programme on which to base your assignment. You could look in at your local surgery, where there will be leaflets for all kinds of health issues. Your local chemist may have some. But the internet is helpful here. Try looking for anti-smoking campaigns – here is a helpful site - http://www.smokefreeaction.org.uk/archive/images/pdfs/GoingSmokefree.pdf
And because it is a pdf it can be downloaded and printed easily.
The NHS has loads of campaigns on its website. 
 http://www.nhs.uk/livewell/Pages/Livewellhub.aspx
You could take “NHS weight loss” as a general health campaign for the purposes of the assignment, and flag up all the examples and references to the two models you need.


Is there a part of the programme where you have to decide whether or not you will carry on with your present behaviour even though it might be considered antisocial? e.g. smoking, unprotected sex, flu injections, child immunisation? If so, show how the theory of reasoned action/theory of planned behaviour are involved. Is there a part of the programme that tries to encourage you to continue, even though you may have tried before and failed? Could this be explained by perceived behavioural control?


Applying the Health Belief Model (HBM) to a health promotion programme is similar. Think in terms of perceived susceptibility and severity. Does the promotion play on how likely you might suffer if you continue your present behaviour? e.g. scare tactics for smoking (lung cancer photographs, heart disease statistics) or obesity. Perhaps it will ask “Do you smoke a lot? Are you coughing up green lumps every morning?” - the idea being that if you fit the profile, you had better do something about it, i.e. a cue to action. Is there a section that describes – directly or indirectly – the benefits of taking up the programme? Direct benefits may mean better health, longer life. Indirect benefits might mean better job or social prospects. Does the promotion suggest how you might overcome any barriers? A clinic that opens in the evenings and at weekends, for example. And if there are no suggestions as to how barriers might be overcome, you could perhaps suggest some. That could point to a higher assignment grade!


How successful is your chosen campaign? Any assessment or evaluation should surely contain some statistics or statement of success (or failure!). What can you find?
http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/loseweight/Pages/middleagespread.aspx is an example of a case study, which could be acceptable in the assignment.


Assignment 5 - That Essay Thingy


I've put together a powerpoint which may be helpful.  Link to here.  Depending upon your browser software, you may have to enable the active-X stuff.  Look for an annoying little yellow bar at the top of the screen when you try to play it.  You will need sound, as I have made a couple of Xtranormal videos as part of the powerpoint.  You must also play it in slideshow mode to catch the videos.


AND FINALLY ... if you're stuck, email me.