Studies — Edexcel GCSE Psychology
Verified courseTeaching note checked against the official specification.
Studies explained
Studies covers 3 specification points, including Depression and Moderation by a Polymorphism in the 5-HTT Gene….
Read the full explanation
Open a point below for its explanation and revision guidance.
Understand the aims, procedures, and findings (results and conclusions), strengths and weaknesses of the following studies: Depression
To succeed in extended responses about depression studies, students must comprehensively understand the key study (Caspi et al., 2003). You need to accurately recall the study's aims (investigating the 5-HTT gene and stressful life events), procedures (longitudinal study of 847 participants, DNA testing, questionnaires), and findings (individuals with the short allele and stressful events were more likely to develop depression). Furthermore, you must evaluate the study by identifying its strengths, such as its large sample size and longitudinal design, and its weaknesses, including reliance on self-report data for stressful life events which may lack validity.
3.2.1 Caspi et al. (2003) Influence of Life Stress on Depression: Moderation by a Polymorphism in the 5-HTT Gene Addiction
Caspi et al. (2003) investigated the influence of life stress on depression, specifically looking at moderation by a polymorphism in the 5-HTT gene. The study aimed to determine if individuals with a short allele of this gene were more vulnerable to depression after stressful events compared to those with two long alleles. The procedure involved 847 participants assessed longitudinally. Findings showed that those with at least one short allele who experienced stressful life events exhibited more depressive symptoms. This highlights a genetic predisposition interacting with environmental stress. Understanding such genetic vulnerabilities in depression also provides a crucial foundation for exploring genetic factors in addiction.
3.2.2 Young (2007) Cognitive Behavior Therapy with Internet Addicts: Treatment Outcomes and Implications
Young (2007) investigated the effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for internet addiction. The study involved 114 participants who completed a 12-session CBT programme. Treatment outcomes were measured using a questionnaire at the 3rd, 8th, and 12th sessions, and a 6-month follow-up. Results showed significant improvements in motivation, time management, and social relationships, which were maintained at the 6-month follow-up. This implies that CBT is an effective treatment for internet addiction, offering long-term benefits. Students must understand the aims, procedure, findings, and conclusions, as well as evaluate the study's methodology, such as its reliance on self-report data and the lack of a control group.
Your focus
- Describe the aims, procedures, and findings of the key depression study.
- Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the key depression study.
- Apply knowledge of the study to explain the causes of depression.
Show all 9 objectives
- Identify the specific gene and polymorphism investigated by Caspi et al. (2003).
- Explain the interaction between life stress and the 5-HTT gene in predicting depression.
- Recognise how genetic vulnerability concepts in depression can relate to addiction.
- Describe the aims, procedure, and findings of Young (2007).
- Explain the implications of the study for treating internet addiction.
- Evaluate the methodological strengths and weaknesses of Young (2007).
Studies exam tips
Marking Points
- Accurate statement of the study's aim to investigate the interaction between the 5-HTT gene and stressful life events.
- Detailed description of the procedure, including the grouping of participants by allele length.
- Clear explanation of the findings, noting that short alleles combined with stress increased depression risk.
- Valid strength identified and justified, such as the longitudinal design tracking changes over time.
- Valid weakness identified and justified, such as the subjectivity of self-report questionnaires.
- Identification of the 5-HTT gene as the primary genetic focus of the study.
- Recognition that the short allele is linked to increased vulnerability to depression.
- Understanding that stressful life events interact with the genetic polymorphism to trigger symptoms.
- Knowledge that the study utilised a longitudinal design with a sample of 847 participants.
- Identify the aim of the study: to investigate the effectiveness of CBT for treating internet addiction.
- Recall the sample characteristics and procedure, including the 114 participants and the 12-session treatment programme.
- Describe the findings, noting the continuous improvement across sessions that was maintained at the 6-month follow-up.
- Evaluate the study by identifying methodological strengths, such as the use of a follow-up, and weaknesses, such as self-report bias and the absence of a control group.
Examiner Tips
- 💡Use the APRC (Aims, Procedure, Results, Conclusion) acronym to structure your description of the study.
- 💡When evaluating, use the GRAVE acronym (Generalisability, Reliability, Application, Validity, Ethics) to generate specific points.
- 💡Always link your evaluation points back to how they affect the overall conclusions about depression.
- 💡Memorise the specific name of the gene (5-HTT) and its role in serotonin transport.
- 💡Be prepared to identify the correct combination of factors (short allele plus stress) that leads to depression in multiple-choice questions.
- 💡Remember the sample size (847) and the longitudinal nature of the study for procedural questions.
- 💡Memorise the specific time intervals when data was collected (3rd, 8th, 12th sessions, and 6-month follow-up) to answer specific multiple-choice questions accurately.
- 💡Use the lack of a control group as a key evaluation point when discussing the validity of the findings.
- 💡Link the findings directly to the implications: CBT is a viable, long-term treatment for internet addiction.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing the results of the short and long alleles; remember that the short allele is the one associated with a higher vulnerability to depression.
- Describing the procedure without mentioning the genetic component; always include that participants were grouped based on their 5-HTT gene alleles.
- Providing generic evaluations; tailor strengths and weaknesses specifically to the study, such as mentioning the specific self-report measure used for life events.
- Believing the gene alone causes depression; the study shows it is the interaction between the gene and stressful life events.
- Confusing the short and long alleles; the short allele is the one associated with higher risk, not the long allele.
- Assuming the study directly investigated addiction; the study focused on depression, though the concept of genetic vulnerability applies to addiction as well.
- Mistake: Believing the study used a control group to compare treatments. Correction: The study did not use a control group; all participants received the CBT treatment.
- Mistake: Confusing the follow-up period. Correction: The follow-up was conducted at 6 months, not 12 months or 1 year.
- Mistake: Assuming the data collected was entirely objective. Correction: The data was collected via self-report questionnaires, which are subjective and prone to social desirability bias.