Brain & Behaviour

Draganski (2004) - Laboratory Experiment

• Characteristics:
  • High control over extraneous variables
  • Standardized procedures
  • Often in artificial settings
• Strengths:
  • Establishes cause-and-effect relationships
  • High reliability due to standardized procedures
• Weaknesses:
  • Low ecological validity
  • Potential for demand characteristics and experimenter effects
• Research Method Usage:
  1. Controlled Environment:
     • Use of MRI scans for objective brain measurements
     • Consistent juggling practice across participants
  2. Repeated Measures Design:
     • MRI scans before, during, and after juggling practice
  3. Random Assignment (partially):
     • Sample mostly females, limiting generalizability

Milner (1966) - Case Study

• Characteristics:
  • In-depth investigation of individuals or small groups
  • Longitudinal and qualitative data
• Strengths:
  • Rich, detailed data
  • High ecological validity in natural settings
  • In-depth understanding of complex phenomena
• Weaknesses:
  • Limited generalizability
  • Time-consuming and resource-intensive
  • Potential for researcher bias
• Research Method Usage:
  1. Longitudinal Design:
     • Followed H.M. over many years
  2. Multiple Data Sources:
     • Observations, interviews, neuropsychological assessments
  3. In-depth Analysis:
     • Insights into hippocampus role in memory

Hormones and Pheromones

Romero et al. (2014) - Laboratory Experiment

• Research Method Usage:
  1. Controlled Environment:
     • Minimized extraneous variables
  2. Quantitative Methods:
     • Measured urinary oxytocin and behavior
  3. Controlled Manipulation:
     • Dogs randomly assigned to oxytocin or placebo

Wedekind et al. (1995) - Natural Experiment

• Characteristics:
  • Observes naturally occurring events
  • IV not manipulated
  • High ecological validity
• Strengths:
  • High ecological validity
  • Study of ethically unmanipulable variables
• Weaknesses:
  • Less control over variables
  • Cannot establish cause-and-effect
  • Difficult to replicate
• Research Method Usage:
  1. Naturally Occurring IV:
     • Variations in MHC genotypes as IV
  2. Naturalistic Setting:
     • Smelling t-shirts to mirror real-life mate selection
  3. Observation of Preferences:
     • Based on MHC genotype variations

Genetics and Behaviour

Caspi et al. (2003) - Correlational Study

• Characteristics:
  • Examines relationships between variables
  • Does not manipulate variables
  • No cause-and-effect establishment
• Strengths:
  • Examines ethically unmanipulable variable relationships
  • Relatively inexpensive and quick
• Weaknesses:
  • No cause-and-effect
  • Correlation does not mean causation
  • Potential confounding variables
• Research Method Usage:
  1. Measurement of Variables:
     • Questionnaires or assessments for genetic predisposition, environment, and behaviour
  2. Correlation Analysis:
     • Statistical determination of relationship strength and direction
  3. Interpretation of Findings:
     • Correlation coefficients infer relationships

Kendler (2006) - Twin Study

• Characteristics:
  • Compares concordance rates of twins
  • Estimates heritability
  • Relies on self-report and assessments
• Strengths:
  • Estimates heritability
  • Identifies genetic behavior contributions
• Weaknesses:
  • Assumes equal environments
  • Limited generalizability
  • Challenges in genetic/environmental disentanglement
• Research Method Usage:
  1. Comparison of Twin Pairs:
     • Concordance rates in MZ and DZ twins
  2. Heritability Estimation:
     • Proportion of trait variance due to genetics
  3. Environmental Influence Assessment:
     • Differences in concordance rates suggest environmental influence