A-Level Psychology Essays | Student Resources

Strengths and Weaknesses (Saavedra & Silverman)

Using PEEL method (Point-Explanation-Example-Link)

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AS Level

Paper 1 Evaluation Essays

P – The study used triangulation for data collection
E – By incorporating several different method, researchers can have more detailed in-depth investigation and data collection
E – For example, researchers uses interview and self-report (distress rating and severity rating) to investigate the boy’s button phobia
L – Findings have higher validity

P – Informed consent was obtained
E – The participant know the aim of the study and what to expect
E – Consent was provided by the mother and the child to participate in the assessment and intervention procedure. The mother also gave written consent for write up and publication of the case
L – The study complied with ethical guidelines as participant participated in their own will

P – The study collected quantitative data
E – Quantitative data allowed for easier statistical analysis and comparison
E – For example, distress ratings decreased from 8 to 5 to 3 when he was asked to imagine hundreds of buttons falling all over his body during disgust imagery exposure and cognition intervention.
L – Researches can draw more valid conclusions due to lower chances of misinterpretation

P – The research method used was case study
E – Case study focuses on only one person and usually involves unique case
E – For example, in this study it involved a nine year old boy who suffered from button phobia for four years
L – Findings have lower generalisability as it is not representative of the majority with more common phobias

P – The used of self report might have limitations
E – Participant might show social desirability
E – For example, the boy might have downplayed his symptoms, exaggerating the effectiveness of the therapy
L – Data collected is relatively subjective and difficult to determine the accuracy of it

P – Participant might suffer from psychological harm
E – In behavioural exposure therapy, participants might suffer from distress having to face their own phobia
E – For example, the boy had to complete in vivo exposure task by touching and feeling the buttons from the lowest hierarchy to the highest. His distress rating increased after 3 sessions of behavioural exposure even though he could handle more buttons
L – The exposure technique caused distress and might worsen phobia