Essay

Describe the methodology and findings of Hans Eysenck's classic 1952 study on psychotherapy effectiveness. In your answer, recall the design of the original studies Eysenck evaluated, the source of the comparison data he used, and the primary conclusion he drew regarding patient improvement.

Question: Describe the methodology and findings of Hans Eysenck's classic 1952 study on psychotherapy effectiveness. In your answer, recall the design of the original studies Eysenck evaluated, the source of the comparison data he used, and the primary conclusion he drew regarding patient improvement.

Sample answer: Hans Eysenck evaluated existing clinical studies that used pretest-posttest designs, which initially showed patient improvement after receiving psychotherapy. Eysenck compared these results to archival data from state hospitals and insurance companies for untreated patients. He found that both the treated and untreated groups recovered at similar rates. From this, he concluded that the improvements observed in the treated group were likely due to spontaneous remission rather than the psychotherapy itself, demonstrating the absolute necessity of including a proper control group in research.

Key points:

  • Evaluated existing clinical studies using pretest-posttest designs.
  • Compared treated group results to archival data of untreated patients from state hospitals and insurance companies.
  • Found that treated and untreated groups recovered at similar rates.
  • Concluded that the observed improvements were likely due to spontaneous remission rather than psychotherapy.
  • Highlighted the necessity of including a proper control group to measure treatment efficacy.

Rubric: The response must accurately recall: 1) Eysenck evaluated existing pretest-posttest clinical studies. 2) He compared these results to archival data from state hospitals and insurance companies for untreated patients. 3) He found that both groups recovered at similar rates. 4) He concluded that patient improvements were due to spontaneous remission, not psychotherapy. 5) He concluded that a proper control group is necessary to measure treatment efficacy.

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Updated 2026-05-27

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Research Methods in Psychology - 4th American Edition @ KPU

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