Abnormal Key Studies Overview

Key Studies in Abnormal Psychology

1. Alloy et al (1999)

   • Focus: Cognitive style's role in depression.
   • Key Idea: Cognitive vulnerability hypothesis; negative schemas.
   • Result: Higher risk group developed more depression.
   • Evaluation: Method triangulation; quasi-experimental.

2. Amenson and Lewinsohn (1981)

   • Focus: Gender differences in depression prevalence.
   • Key Idea: Artefact hypothesis - women report more.
   • Result: No significant difference in self-reporting between genders.
   • Evaluation: High ecological validity; may lack cross-cultural validity.

3. Becker et al (2002)

   • Focus: Media's impact on body image in Fiji.
   • Key Idea: Introduction of TV increased disordered eating attitudes.
   • Result: Significant increase in disordered eating behaviors.
   • Evaluation: Naturalistic study; self-reported data.

4. Bolton (2002)

   • Focus: Cross-cultural diagnosis post-genocide in Rwanda.
   • Key Idea: Emic approach to local mental health understanding.
   • Result: Cultural-specific symptoms identified.
   • Evaluation: Data triangulation; limited generalizability.

5. Brown & Harris (1978)

   • Focus: Sociocultural factors in depression in women.
   • Key Idea: Diathesis-stress model; vulnerability and protective factors.
   • Result: Social stress linked to depression; class disparities.
   • Evaluation: Semistructured interviews; correlational research.

6. Caspi et al (2003)

   • Focus: Gene-environment interaction in depression.
   • Key Idea: 5-HTT gene, stress, and depression interaction.
   • Result: Short alleles linked to increased depression risk under stress.
   • Evaluation: Correlational; not replicable.

7. Cortisol Hypothesis

   • Focus: Cortisol's role in depression.
   • Key Idea: Links anxiety and depression; not reductionist.
   • Evaluation: Supported by various biological studies.

8. Elkin et al (1989)

   • Focus: Treatment effectiveness for depression.
   • Key Idea: CBT, IPT, and drug therapy comparison.
   • Result: All treatments effective; some differences noted.
   • Evaluation: Large sample; some site-specific results.

9. Friedlander and Stockman (1983)

   • Focus: Anchoring bias in diagnosis.
   • Key Idea: Early information influences diagnosis.
   • Result: Significant bias in less severe cases.
   • Evaluation: Small sample size; limited disorders studied.

10. Holland et al (1988)

    • Focus: Genetic link to anorexia via twin studies.
    • Key Idea: Higher concordance in MZ twins.
    • Result: 56% concordance in MZ twins for anorexia.
    • Evaluation: Twin studies' limitations noted; ascertainment bias.

11. Joiner et al (1999)

    • Focus: Dysfunctional thinking and depression.
    • Key Idea: Cognitive vulnerability and stress interaction.
    • Result: Negative thinking linked to depression with stressors.
    • Evaluation: Sampling bias; prospective study.

12. Kendler et al (2006)

    • Focus: Genetic inheritance in major depression.
    • Key Idea: Gender differences in heritability.
    • Result: Higher heritability in women; no time differences.
    • Evaluation: Large sample; correlational.

13. Langer and Abelson (1974)

    • Focus: Impact of labeling on diagnosis.
    • Key Idea: Labels influence perception and diagnosis.
    • Result: Significant differences based on labels.
    • Evaluation: Small, biased sample; criticism of psychodynamic approach.

14. Li-Repac (1980)

    • Focus: Cultural bias in diagnosis.
    • Key Idea: Stereotyping affects diagnosis.
    • Result: Cultural differences in perception noted.
    • Evaluation: Cultural stereotyping highlighted; limited sample.

15. Luhrmann (2015)

    • Focus: Cultural differences in auditory hallucinations.
    • Key Idea: Cultural impact on schizophrenia symptoms.
    • Result: Cross-cultural differences in voice perception.
    • Evaluation: Structured interviews; cultural biases noted.

16. Nolen-Hoeksema (2000)

    • Focus: Rumination's role in depression.
    • Key Idea: Cognitive etiology and rumination.
    • Result: Rumination linked to longer depression duration.
    • Evaluation: Self-report limitations; longitudinal study.

17. Parker et al (2001)

    • Focus: Cultural expression of depression symptoms.
    • Key Idea: Somatic vs cognitive symptom differences.
    • Result: Similar somatic symptoms across cultures.
    • Evaluation: Imposed etic approach; memory distortion concerns.

18. Rosenhan (1973)

    • Focus: Validity of psychiatric diagnoses.
    • Key Idea: Sane individuals in psychiatric settings.
    • Result: Labels persisted despite normal behavior.
    • Evaluation: Ethical concerns; limited generalizability.

19. Serotonin Hypothesis (1967)

    • Focus: Serotonin's role in depression.
    • Key Idea: 5-HTT dysfunction linked to depression.
    • Evaluation: Supported and contested by various studies.

20. Shmelkov et al (2010)

    • Focus: SLITRK5 gene and compulsive behaviors.
    • Key Idea: Gene's role in OCD-like behaviors in mice.
    • Result: Knockout mice showed compulsive behaviors.
    • Evaluation: Animal model limitations; quasi-experimental.

21. Thobois et al (2004)

    • Focus: Brain localization of compulsive behaviors.
    • Key Idea: Caudate nucleus damage and OCD.
    • Result: Damage linked to compulsive symptoms.
    • Evaluation: Case study; secondary OCD focus.

22. Weissman et al (2005)

    • Focus: Kinship studies in depression.
    • Key Idea: Family studies and genetic links.
    • Result: High disorder rates in multi-generation depression.
    • Evaluation: Longitudinal; no genotype studied.