Key Studies in Psychology

This report explores two key studies in psychology: fruit machine addiction in adolescents and the effects of psychotherapy. It discusses the strengths and weaknesses of each study and their impact on modern psychology.

Key Studies in Psychology
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Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY..................................................................................................................................3
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................3
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................5
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INTRODUCTION
In present times, it is difficult to understand human behaviour and psychology. This is
because there is frequent change in mood and behaviour due to various factors. The change in
behaviour highly impact on mental health of individual. However, modern psychology consists
of various fields such as human development, social behaviour and cognitive process. This
allows in understanding stimuli response and how it impact on human behaviour. Many studies
are being done to evaluate human behaviour. Furthermore, certain factors are also considered in
it as well.
In this report it will be explained about two studies of human psychology and its strengths
and weakness of it. Besides that, it will be determined how it impact on modern psychology.
MAIN BODY
Article 1- Griffiths, M. (2003). Fruit machine addiction in an adolescent female: Case
study. Journal of Gambling Issues
Here, a study was conducted by Mark Griffiths on fruit machine addiction in adolescent.
The study is being done on gambling which is perceived as adult activity. For that an adolescent
was taken as sample for it (Adler, 2019). Hence, interview was taken 3 times of participant by
researcher.
In this major strength is that there is a particular method which is taken and case study
description is done. For method DSM 4 criteria is considered for pathological gambling. Thus,
only professional gambler was taken as adolescent. Moreover, interview was taken of it. There is
a lot of facts and data presented in background of study of UK. But no specific year is mentioned
in it. Besides that, another strength is that case study has been described in systematic way with
various sub headings. The background of Jo is described in detailed. Furthermore, it has been
clearly explained how Jo started getting engaged in fruit gambling machine. In addition,
motivation factors of Jo is described clearly which resulted in continuing playing fruit machine.
Hence, each scenario is discussed in effective way.
Also, it is discussed about what problems were faced and how Jo hided it. So, the change
in her behavior is shown that how her response towards school and studies were impacted. In
discussion it is shown that how gambling is factor is change in psychology. Alongside, it is
explained how Jo displayed features of gambling addiction.
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This impact on modern technology as it will show how in adolescent gambling becomes
an addiction (Di Fabio, 2017). Besides, how there is change in behavior and what problems are
faced during gambling process. Also, it shows that the stimuli response changes with change in
several factors. In adolescent behavior is related to how behavior is changed due to addiction. It
is because the mind remain diverted towards one particular thing. Thus, social factor highly
impact on psychological behavior. Besides, it highly affect the overall learning as well as
memory. So, mental process is impacted which results in thoughts. It is necessary to find out in
adolescent that what are social factor which impact on their learning. Social environment plays
vital role in influencing children behavior. They get easily influenced from external factors in
which they learn. Many of the primary modern applications for psychology revolve around
protecting people from emotional and physical harm while providing them with the necessary
mental bandwidth to handle the psychological perils many people face daily. Issues like
relationships, workplace stress and financial difficulties all can be affected by psychological
symptoms that require diagnosing and managing, which is where modern psychology. In this Jo
family and friends can help her to overcome addiction of gambling. Along with it, various
theories can be applied as well in it. Here, CBT can be given to patient so that the way they
think, act and react can be changed. This can assist Jo family and teacher to have control over
their thoughts and emotions.
But it is critiqued that there are several limitations as well of study. First is that study
totally relies on retrospective self report. Also, the author has taken participant account as true
but study is subject on personal account. Hence, it may result in fall of it. Alongside, it is stated
that another weakness is there is general findings and analysis done. Thus, it is not enough to
relate with human psychology (Valsiner, Chaudhary, & Benetka, 2017). Moreover, the findings
stated in it are limited. The findings are not sufficient to conclude anything from case study. The
sample taken in it is not large that means one case study is taken. Therefore, it can not be
examined from one case that gambling is addiction to adolescent and female. Also, it is found
that in discussion there is no link done with psychological factors and how it impacted on Jo
mind. Apart from it, there is no model or theory which is being described or linked with case
study. Hence, it becomes difficult to analyse and evaluate change in behavior of Jo. Besides that,
there is no conclusion or recommendations which is made into it. So, no conclusion is obtained
from it. This impact on modern psychology as in present times different theories and models are
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used to understand human behavior. Alongside, it helps in analyzing problems and how it is
affecting on behavior of adolescent. This also relate with certain factors that led to change in
behavior of person.s
Article 2: Eysenck, H.J. (1952). The effects of psychotherapy: an evaluation. Journal of
Consulting Psychology, 16, 319- 324.
In this article survey was made for neurotic patients who have undergone psychotherapy. It
has been analysed that psychotherapy is basically being taken by those individuals who are
suffering from mental health disorder like schizophrenia, depression, anxiety or any other type of
mental health disease. These type of disorders lower down the health outcome and well-being of
patients and because of this they are unable to make their life decisions. Psychotherapy is the
treatment which is been provided by therapist so that patients can have control over their
thoughts and feelings. This therapy can assist patient in how they think, behave and react. It has
been evaluated that Supportive psychotherapy helps patients deal with issues related to their
mental health conditions which in turn affect the rest of their lives. It is basically a broad way to
help people deal with huge mental illness. This type of therapy can assist in making sure that the
troubling symptoms faced by patient can be controlled. It can enhance well-being and also
because of this patient can be able to heal better. Psychotherapy can be used in solving out
problems in life and the difficulties which can be faced in coping with daily lives. Patient can be
unwell because of trauma, loss of loved one, or maybe they are suffering from any other kind of
mental illness (Wampold, (2019).
Psychotherapy has positive effect on all these type of problems and issues. There is
combination of therapies that has been used in this type of session. It includes therapy session.
This type of therapy is being done with family or group of supportive person. In this the therapist
basically make sure that environment set by them is such that patient can be able to speak about
the issues which is being faced them (David, Cristea and Hofmann, (2018). There needs to be
trust and better relationship between patient and their therapist so that both of them can become
comfortable. This will assist therapist in knowing about the issues which has been faced by
patient. The effect of psychotherapy will be positive in this way and also because of this health
outcome of service user can be improved. This will assist the therapist in enhancing the well-
being and quality of life of patients. The main element of psychotherapy is that confidentiality
needs to be maintained and also patient having physical or intimate relationship with their
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patients is not acceptable at all. The effectiveness of psychotherapy increases with medication.
Both of them worked better together for enhancing health outcome and well-being of patients. In
some of the conditions medication can be really helpful and this type of treatment is better than
either alone. This assists in supportive recovery and overall wellness. It supports in improving
well-being and quality of life of patient. It has also been analysed that this also assists therapist in
knowing about issues faced by patients. The weakness of this therapy is that Due to their
seriousness, severe adverse events should always be addressed, irrespective of causality (Clarke
and Braun, (2018).
Psychotherapy works positively, research has shown that most patients who receives
psychotherapy has shown positive results. It has been analysed that above 75% of the people
who gets this type of therapy has shown some positive aspects. This type of therapy enhances the
behaviour and mood of patient. They can be able to express themselves better so that all the
issues which are being faced by them can be solved by the therapist. There have been positive
changes in brain and body by this type of therapy. In most of the cases the changes in brain were
similar like the changes seen through medication in brain and body. This type of therapy is a
collaborative effort of patient and therapist. They need to have better relationship with their
patients so that issues can be known by them. There is various type of psychotherapy that
depends on particular illness of patient. The type of psychotherapy depends on the disease that
has been faced by patient. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be given to patient so that the
way they think, act and react can be changed. This has assisted therapist in having control over
their thoughts and emotions (Eysenck, (1952). CBT has positive impact on mind and body of
patient. In this the harmful thoughts are being replaced by the functional one. Patient can feel
more satisfied and happy after getting this type of therapy. This has enhanced the well-being and
quality of life of patients. After this therapy patient are also being able to make their own
decisions and their daily lives task is being maintained by them and only. CBT is being used in
treating various type of disorders such depression, anxiety, trauma. It is being used to enhance
thinking patterns of patients so that they can be able to make better decisions and are also in their
thinking abilities. Interpersonal therapy (IPT) is other type of therapy which assists patients in
overcoming from their interpersonal issues which are causing trouble in their lives. Most
probably these issues are being solved through communicating effectively with their therapist so
that health outcome can be enhanced. This assists in enhancing well-being of patients.
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CONCLUSION
From the above study it has been summarised that modern psychology as in present times
different theories and models are used to understand human behavior. Alongside, it helps in
analyzing problems and how it is affecting on behavior. Also, psychotherapy has a positive effect
on mind, body and behaviour of patient. This type of therapy can assist in making sure that the
troubling symptoms faced by patient can be controlled. It can enhance well-being and also
because of this patient can be able to heal better. It has also been analysed that this therapy has
shown better result and because of this patient can have control over there thinking patterns
which is really necessary. By making use of this therapy all type of mental health disorder can be
treated. This has assisted patients in enhancing their well being and quality of life.
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REFERENCES
Books and journals
Adler, A. (2019). The fundamental views of individual psychology. The Journal of Individual
Psychology, 75(3), 185-187.
Back, E., Ropar, D., & Mitchell, P. (2007). Do the eyes have it? Inferring mental states from
animated faces in autism. Child Development, 78(2), 397-411.
Clarke, V. and Braun, V., (2018). Using thematic analysis in counselling and psychotherapy
research: A critical reflection. Counselling and Psychotherapy Research, 18(2), pp.107-
110.
David, D., Cristea, I. and Hofmann, S.G., (2018). Why cognitive behavioral therapy is the
current gold standard of psychotherapy. Frontiers in psychiatry, 9, p.4.
Di Fabio, A. (2017). The psychology of sustainability and sustainable development for well-
being in organizations. Frontiers in Psychology, 8, 1534.
Eysenck, H.J. (1952). The effects of psychotherapy: an evaluation. Journal of Consulting
Psychology, 16, 319- 324.
Griffiths, M. (2003). Fruit machine addiction in an adolescent female: Case study. Journal of
Gambling Issues
Valsiner, J., Chaudhary, N., & Benetka, G. (2017). From methodology to methods in human
psychology. Cham: Springer International Publishing.
Wampold, B.E., (2019). The basics of psychotherapy: An introduction to theory and practice.
American Psychological Association.
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