Learning theories have been used to explain key questions of relevance to today’s society - AQA - A-Level Psychology - Question 14 - 2017 - Paper 1

In today's society, one key question revolves around the reliability of mental health diagnoses and the methods employed for these assessments. To tackle this issue, various learning theories provide critical insights into the research methodologies applicable in mental health.

Practical Issues in Research

One major concern is ensuring replicability in research to increase reliability. When exploring learning theories, particularly those based on animal studies, caution is needed. For instance, using animals or rare populations can lead to generalizability issues. This is significant because findings based on specific demographics may not apply broadly, raising questions about the validity of the research outcomes.

Research Methods and Findings

Moreover, the practical challenges of achieving findings that reflect real-life situations underscore the need for researchers to be mindful of the artificiality of tasks and environments in studies. For example, Pavlov's (1927) experiments with dogs emphasize that laboratory settings may not fully capture the complexities of real-world learning.

Cost Implications for Researchers

Additionally, the methods employed often entail considerable expenses, impacting the feasibility of conducting research. For example, scans that reveal brain activity, like CT scans, might provide essential insights but come with functional and financial implications that need to be justified against their usefulness.

Application of Learning Theories

Within this framework, Raine et al. (1997) applied learning theories to study murderers' motivations. The findings underscore the limitations of using this sample, as the representation may not reflect broader societal trends. Similarly, Bandura's studies on modeling highlight the challenge of ecological validity, particularly when researching environments that mimic real life.

In conclusion, employing learning theories in understanding societal issues such as mental health diagnosis reveals practical and ethical considerations that researchers must navigate to enhance the validity and applicability of their findings.