For this task, choose two experiments, one that examined therapy, and another that examined psychological tests. Describe and analyze each of the experiments you chose. You will prepare two separate analyses; for each analysis, include the following:
- A brief summary of the study
- A one paragraph explanation of the background in the field leading up to the study, and the reasons the researchers carried out the project.
- The significance of the study to the field of psychology
- A brief discussion of supportive or contradictory follow-up research findings and subsequent questioning or criticism from others in the field
- A summary of at least one recent experiment (within the past two years) that is related to the seminal experiment (Hint: Excellent sources for recent research summaries are the American Psychological Association’s Monitor on Psychology and the Association for Psychological Science).
- A brief reflection that considers the following:
- Based on your readings this week, would you consider psychotherapy more of an art or a science, or both? Give evidence for your opinion.
- What further types of research do you think need to be done into the effectiveness of psychotherapy?
- Should these focus on techniques, the psychotherapeutic relationship, the type of illness, or some combination of all three?
- If you could suggest just one additional research experiment on psychotherapy, what would it be?
Length: 3- 3.5 pages
