Teaching guide: economic implications of psychological research
Our specification subject content now includes ‘Implications of psychological research for the economy’ (in 3.2.3.1 Scientific processes).
No extra teaching is required – students will be able to use content from topics they have covered elsewhere. However, students must be able to explain the economic implications of psychological research. Here are some examples.
AS examples
Attachment research
There are opportunities for extended discussion of economic implications here. Bowlby’s WHO report in the 1950s was taken to suggest that babies needed the constant care of the mother for healthy psychological development. This led to ‘stay at home’ mothering. Later evidence has shown that good substitute care childcare either in nurseries or by other family members eg father does not have a detrimental effect on social development. As an example then, this means that mother can happily return to work after having a child, remaining economically active.
Psychopathology research
Anything to do with treatment and people’s ability to work and contribute as effective members of society would be relevant. For example, studies often compare the effectiveness of different therapies. If research shows that people with a disorder such as depression are less likely to suffer a relapse after having cognitive therapy then, even though cognitive therapy might initially be more expensive than drug therapy, in the long-term it might be more economically sound to offer cognitive therapy as people would have less time off work.
Memory research
Any evidence relating to more efficient use of public money would be relevant. For example, research showing the cognitive interview facilitates accuracy of eyewitness reporting enables better use of police time and resources.
A-level examples
Stress research
Again, this would relate to people’s ability to work effectively. Research showing how to cope with workplace stress could be useful to companies whose productivity would increase if members of the workforce are better equipped to deal with stress.
Forensic Psychology research
Obvious economic benefits relate to the cost and effectiveness of treatments, custodial sentencing and alternatives to custodial sentencing. If research shows that custodial sentence does not necessarily result in lowering of recidivism rates then perhaps it would be more economical to focus on alternatives such as restorative justice.
Cognition and development research
How research has influenced educational policy and specific educational programmes is relevant to preparing the next generation for work and thus relevant to national productivity and the country’s economy. A discussion of Piaget’s or Vygotsky’s influence on teaching methods would be relevant here.