Final answer:
Humanists in psychology attribute emotional and behavioral issues to unmet needs, with the highest being self-actualization. An experimental study with strict screening and random assignment is being conducted, likely to determine the effectiveness of a treatment for depression while maintaining ethical standards.
Step-by-step explanation:
Humanistic Psychology and Research Studies
Humanists in psychology, such as Abraham Maslow, believe that healthy human development is characterized by needs that must be met in a specific order, culminating in the need for self-actualization, or reaching our fullest potential. Humanistic theory proposes that emotional and behavioral concerns may arise from unmet hierarchical needs. A study that is carefully screening and randomly assigning participants to a treatment or control group is likely conducting an experimental study to understand or treat depression. This study design helps to ensure the validity and reliability of the research findings.
Humanism in psychology also emphasizes an environment that fosters personal growth, including warmth, love, and acceptance, which is considered an essential part of treatment for depression. One method used to assess treatment efficacy while also ensuring participant blinding is the placebo effect, where participants do not know if they are receiving the actual treatment or a placebo. Researchers special attention to ethical considerations in studies involving human participants, valuing the rights, choice, and autonomy of these individuals, adhering to the guidelines set by Institutional Review Boards (IRBs).