Differentiating between research methods, experimental designs and ‘techniques’ can be really tricky, especially for students who are learning in a second, third or even fourth language. Short and extended response exam question may state that the answer must focus on a research method, and it is important that students choose one of the methods identified…
Extreme experiences feel more meaningful, regardless whether they are pleasurable or painful
Viennese psychoanalyst and Holocaust survivor, Viktor Frankl (1984) advocated ‘the will to meaning’ as our ‘primary concern’. He urged us to recognise that happiness and success are by-products of living a meaningful life and pursuing our unique purpose. This awareness of meaning allows us to overcome hardship and suffering and contemporary researchers, including Julienne Bower…
Recovery journeys of people with depression; A Qualitative Approach
This article may be helpful for those of you delivering or studying IB Psychology. The paper reports on a qualitative study which was part of a bigger randomised control trial of MBCT . The study uses thematic analysis and case studies of individual patients, providing insight into their interpretation of their personal journeys through depression,…
The Doorway Effect
Here’s a fun idea for a practical that could even be turned into an internal assessment (IB) with a bit of work. How many times have you walked onto another room and realised you have no idea why you are there?! Yes, this is the commonly experienced doorway effect and this brilliant youtube video from…
Coronavirus and online learning
What astonishing times we are facing?! With so many schools closed across the world, I wanted to do my bit to help out as much as possible. I have put all my quizizzs onto twitter but I know some of you do not have access to twitter and have asked for my to post them…
Ideas for first lessons
Why not use this study as the basis of a fun first lesson on research methods, memory etc. I think its great many of us are constantly gesticulating away like mad as teachers and now it appears there may be some tacit reason for this ! Getting the students to create their own study to…
Vexed by validity?
To try to visualise the difference between internal and external validity, why not create a diagram using an image of a famous psychology lab? We chose Yale as we were working on Milgram at the time. Stick the image into your book or paste into a document if working online. Use a bright colour to…
The Heroic Imagination Project
Philip Zimbardo’s ‘Heroic Imagination Project’ aims to encourage and empower individuals to take heroic action during crucial moments in their lives. His programme draws on decades of research into power of situational forces and is an excellent example of the development of psychological knowledge over time culminating in a potentially critical application that could undoubtedly…
What if Mr Wallace was your best friend?
Did you know! Rochat and Blass (2014) revealed an unpublished replication completed in 1962 where Milgram asked the participants to ‘bring a friend’ who went onto play the role of the learner. In this condition obedience plummeted suggesting that heroic acts to protect one’s own community are the extension of ‘ordinariness goodness’, (Rochat and Modigliani 1995).
