Research project

Abnormal

1. Research and discuss one abnormal behaviour using psychological and/or biological models of abnormality to explain causality

1.1 describe the clinical characteristics of one abnormal behaviour

1.2 explained the causes of this behaviour with reference to two models of abnormality

1.3 evaluated the effectiveness of the selected models in explaining the behaviour

2. explained and applied treatment

2.1 using one of the selected models identify and apply one appropriate treatment for the behaviour

2.2 evaluated the treatment in terms of its effectiveness

3. produce a research project

3.1 logically organised the project into appropriate sections

3.2 presented material in an appropriate format using diagrams, tables, images where appropriate to support written work

3.3 correctly referenced the work using the Harvard system to show use of appropriate L3 sources related to the behaviour and the models selected

Assignment Brief: Research project 2000 words (1.1 – 3.3)
In your assignment you should:
You need to select one abnormal behaviour other than anorexia or bulimia nervosa

It is up to you which behaviour you select, but you need to make sure that you are able to access the material needed for your research project; therefore, some behaviours, whilst interesting and unusual, may not have the necessary research evidence available for your inclusion in the project. Examples of behaviours that you might select:

Schizophrenia
Depression
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PSTD)
Addiction (alcoholism; smoking; pathological gambling; drug)

For the behaviour you have selected, you should give an outline of the diagnostic criteria (eg, taken from the DSM-IV), and any symptoms associated with the disorder; you may choose to put these in a table or list, and if appropriate, separate into physical, behavioural, and cognitive symptoms.

You will need to apply at least two explanations and one associated treatment for the behaviour, eg, the biological and cognitive explanations of major depression, and one treatment selected from one of these approaches.

This is a critical report so your discussion must include appropriate research evidence, and effective analysis. Analysis can be increased by comparing/contrasting other explanations for the behaviour selected, and similarly, comparison of other treatments.

As this is a research project, you are able to organise your work into sections if you wish; you may use headings, sub-headings and include tables, diagrams etc. The report should be given an appropriate title, and you should reference your work thoroughly both in-text and in the accompanying reference list and bibliography.

Indicative Learner texts:

Cardwell, M., Clark, L., & Meldrum, C. (2003) for AS-Level  (3rd Ed) HarperCollins: London
Cardwell, M. & Flanagan, C. (2015) AS The Complete Companion Student Book (5th Edition) Oxford University Press: Oxford
Cardwell, M. & Flanagan, C. (2012) A2 The Complete Companion Student Book (3rd Ed) Oxford University Press: Oxford
Cardwell, M. & Flanagan, C. (2020) A Level Year 2: The Complete Companion Student book (Online). (5th ed). Oxford University Press
Cardwell, M. & Flanagan, C. (2019) A Level Year 2: The Complete Companion Student Book for AQA. (5th ed). Oxford University Press: Oxford
Cardwell, M. & Moody, R. (2019) A Level Year 1 & AS: Revision Guide for AQA. Oxford University Press: Oxford
Cardwell, M. & Moody, R. (2019) A Level Year 2: Revision Guide for AQA. Oxford University Press: Oxford
Eysenck, M. W. (2015) AQA : AS and A-Level Year 1. (6th ed). Press: London
Eysenck, M.W. (2000) For AS-Level  (2nd Ed) Press Ltd: East Sussex
Faudemer, K., Hayden, C., McHale, K. & Simson, C. (eds) (2015) A-Level Year 1 & AS Exam Board: AQA Coordination Group Publications Ltd (CGP)
Flanagan, C., Berry, D., Jarvis, M. & Liddle, R. (2015) AQA For A Level Year 1 & AS Illuminate Publishing Ltd: Cheltenham
Flanagan, C., Berry, D., Jarvis, M. & Liddle, R. (2016) AQA For A Level Year 2 Illuminate Publishing Ltd: Cheltenham
Gross, R., McIlveen, R., Coolican, H., Clamp, A., & Russell, J. (2000) : a new introduction for A-Level  (3rd Ed)  Hodder & Stoughton: London
Gross, R. (2015) The Science of Mind and Behaviour (7th Ed) Hodder Education: London
Holt, N., Bremner, A., Sutherland, E., Vliek, M., Passer, M., & Smith, R. (2019) The Science of Mind and Behaviour. (4th ed). McGraw-Hill Education: England

The student, student’s work:
a. makes use of relevant:
· models
· theories
with either

b. breadth or depth that goes beyond the minimum required to Pass
and
c. very good levels of:
· accuracy
· analysis

The student, student’s work:
a. makes use of relevant:
· models
· theories
with both

b. breadth and depth that goes beyond the minimum required to Pass
and
c. excellent levels of:
· accuracy
· analysis

4. Use of information

The student, student’s work:
a. identifies new information from sources which are generally appropriate

d. shows a very good grasp of the meaning and significance of new information

The student, student’s work:
a. identifies new information from sources which are consistently appropriate

b. shows an excellent grasp of the meaning and significance of new information

5. Communication and Presentation

The student’s work:
Shows very good command of:
· structure
· language (including technical or specialist language)
· spelling
· punctuation
· referencing

The student’s work:
Shows excellent command of:
· structure
· language (including technical or specialist language)
· spelling
· punctuation
· referencing

7. Quality

The student’s work:

b. taken as a whole, demonstrates a very good response to the demands of the brief/assignment

The student’s work:

b. taken as a whole, demonstrates an excellent response to the demands of the brief/assignment