Question

Generate your own example of an experiment researching the effects of Prozac on the symptoms of depression. First, generate a hypothesis. Next, state the independent and dependent variables. Also, specify how participants will be assigned to the treatment and control groups while also discussing how the experiment will be controlled. In addition discuss at least three rules of ethics that psychologists must follow to maintain the safety, well-being, and dignity of their participants.

Answer 1

Note: This response is in UK English, please paste the response to MS Word and you should be able to spot discrepancies easily. You may elaborate the answer based on personal views or your classwork if necessary. I have referred to details of a control group from existing studies as I have obviously not conducted a study on this matter in order to answer this question.

(Answer) Hypothesis: Both pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy are equally important in treating depression. (Note: for the sake of the study, the pharmacotherapy mentioned further refers to Prozac and the psychotherapy may refer to professional therapy or an ameliorating social environment.)

IV: Pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy

DV: The mental state of the patient.

The study will be based on observation and how the control group would react to therapy and or medication.

Rules of ethics:

1. Consenting individuals would have to participate and not individuals who are coerced into the experiment.
2. Full disclosure agreements would need to be signed by the patients. Furthermore, the patients would be entitled to know about any updates on the experiment.
3. The patient’s medical history would have to be considered. For instance, aversion to any chemicals in the drug, other surgeries that could be affected etc.

The study details:

Psychotherapy: It involves talking, therapeutic exercises and such treatment. This helps the psychologist get to the bottom of the disorder and chalk out session plans to slowly address the disorder.

Pharmacotherapy: It involved administering drugs and suppressants to the patient to help alleviate the symptoms of the disorder.

Comparison: Both therapies are required in regulation to help find the cause, solve the issue and ameliorate the symptoms so that the patient can recover without the burden of stress from the symptoms.

“One hundred and fifty-three outcome trials involving 29 879 participants with depressive disorders were identified.” The results of this study stated that, “Despite the small number of comparative trials for some of the analyses, this study reveals that combined treatment is superior, but psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy alone are also efficacious for improving functioning and quality of life.” In this study, both pills and therapy by themselves are effective. However, both approaches combined together bring the best results.

Kamenov, K., Twomey, C., Cabello, M., Prina, A. M., & Ayuso-Mateos, J. L. (2016). The efficacy of psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy and their combination on functioning and quality of life in depression: a meta-analysis. Psychological Medicine, 47(03), 414-425. doi:10.1017/s0033291716002774

It can be pointed out that the most effective and the safest approach to treating a patient with psychological disorders are both therapy and medication. The regulation and alternation of which should be regulated by a professional.