Based on the student's scenario and the principles of habituation theory, what decision should the student make regarding the expected effectiveness of writing about positive events, and how does the theoretical mechanism justify this decision?
Case context: A student researcher is designing an expressive writing study. They read that habituation theory suggests expressive writing causes people to habituate to negative thoughts and feelings, which leads to health improvements. The student wants to see if this theory implies whether writing about positive events (which does not involve negative thoughts) will be effective.
Question: Based on the student's scenario and the principles of habituation theory, what decision should the student make regarding the expected effectiveness of writing about positive events, and how does the theoretical mechanism justify this decision?
Sample answer: The student should decide that writing about positive events will not improve health. According to habituation theory, health improvements from expressive writing are driven by the process of habituating to negative thoughts and feelings. Since writing about positive events does not involve negative feelings, no habituation can occur, meaning the positive writing protocol lacks the theoretical mechanism required to produce health improvements.
Key points:
- State that writing about positive events will not improve health.
- Identify that habituation theory requires habituating to negative thoughts and feelings to produce health improvements.
- Explain that positive writing does not involve negative feelings, preventing the habituation process from occurring.
Rubric: The response must indicate that writing about positive events will not improve health (1 point) and explain this decision using the theoretical mechanism: positive writing lacks the negative feelings necessary to drive the habituation process (2 points).
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Research Methods in Psychology - 4th American Edition @ KPU
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