This will be a discussion of the purposes of quantitative research in art therapy. There will be a breakdown of three different styles of research: survey research, experimental research, and applied behavioral analysis. Based on the present discussion, how each style of research affects design, data analysis, as well as other steps in the research process will be addressed.
Research in art therapy is an area that is lacking. However, inquiry shows it is difficult to find art therapists to become involved in this area of exploration. There is an avoidance among art therapists due to the fact that the majority of art therapists’ voices and experience is minimized, with slim chances for them to contribute and be heard through research. Quantitative research has purpose in art therapy; to find truth, reliability, causality, validity, and proof in the research produced in this field. In the scientific community as well as governmental oversight, quantitative research can give art therapy validity and legitimacy (Einat, 2007).
Survey research is a method of research that includes collecting information through structured, predetermined questionnaires given to a select group of participants (Carolan, 2001). Surveys can be managed in person, over the phone, through handouts or mail, or over the internet. Steps taken in the art therapy research survey process are 1.) to clarify the objectives of the survey, 2.) to select a sample group, 3.) to define the method for sampling, approach, and delivery, 4.) to assess for quality control, and 5.) to determine methods of data analysis (Kapitan, 2010). Once the survey is carried out and data are collected, results are analyzed. Trends and tendencies of the subject matter can be determined. A...
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...er (Wheeler, 2005). Applied behavioral analysis is art therapist friendly, using the typical interventions and practices the art therapist uses daily on-the-job. This method is useful for looking at authentic components of interventions in different stages and therefore developing a clear understanding of what factors of the therapeutic process seem to have effects on certain groups of clients. Applied behavioral analysis has been shown in many areas of art therapy including technology.
Quantitative research is the objective method of research, with truth, validity and legitimacy as their keys to mainstream research. Survey research, experimental research have prominent places in quantitative research, and applied behavior analysis is an art therapy friendly tool that is quantitative non the less. Quantitative research is a must for the future of art therapy.
The best way to describe Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is to understand human behavior, what causes the behavior and how to use evidence-based techniques to shape the individual’s behavior. I also view ABA as therapy for individuals who struggle with behavioral issues, finding ways to replace problem behaviors and reinforcing the participant’s appropriate behaviors in specific settings.
This approach she felt was prominent during the art making portion of the session. Besides from the art portion of a session, Riley believed the verbal component of art therapy was important. Riley explored the stigma surrounding art therapy and the client's verbal expressions. From the book, Integrative Approaches to Family Art Therapy (Riley & Malchiodi, 1994), Riley states: “Hearing client’s language does not negate the process of looking at the art product. It is a synthesis of two creative means of communication.” Joining these two stories was key in Riley’s
In 1982, the Diagnostic Drawing Series (DDS) was introduced by Barry Cohen as an assessment which focuses on form in client drawings, rather than content, to gain insight about a client in a way that allows for greater objectivity. The DDS is supported by extensive research, has reports of high reliability and validity, and is the only art therapy assessment tool that can be linked to the DSM-5 standards (Cohen, 2013).
Drawings and other self-generated forms of visual art produced by people suffering from mental illness sparked the interest of psychiatrists around the end of the 19th century. They were considered “outpourings of the mind in turmoil” (Rubin 6). Fascinated by these samples of artwork, psychiatrists began to study them in an attempt to better understand the creator and the illness. Art therapy is a fluid, adaptable and evolving field. Today art therapists employ a variety of methods and work in a variety of rehabilitation settings, but the focus of this paper is the use and benefits of visual art therapy in correctional settings. Unfortunately, there has been little research to measure the effectiveness of art therapy in prison. Researchers are still in the early stages of understanding what art therapy does, how it does this, and why it is effective. Through art therapy programs, prisoners are able to more fully come to know themselves and are therefore fore able to authentically participate in life and community as well as develop an ongoing motivation towards recovery.
Associative Art is expressive art forms such as sculpture, drawing, and painting that relates to the traumatic event. In order for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder patients to heal, they need to express and work through their emotions to regain a positive focus. While there are three common effects these patients undergo, avoidance, intrusion, and hyper arousal, associative art can be implemented to each as a corrective solution to help patients express emotions and thoughts that cannot be put into words. There are two key concepts that play a part of associative art that makes it a reasonable solution to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. For one, the majority of P...
I am drawn to the field of applied behavior analysis as it is a way of understanding that allows me to address the needs of my clients and determine how to help them beyond just the label of a diagnosis. Through using applied behavior analysis effectively the origin and meaning of a behavior can be highlighted. When a behavior occurs a detailed report is created to describe the situation prior, what the behavior was and the consequences of that behavior. Furthermore behaviors within some cases can be used as a form of communication when words are not available. For this reason the study of behavior allows me to help my clients and those around me in a way that is more definite and lasting.
People from all around the world suffer from many different anxieties and troubles. They turn to things they enjoy so that they can forget reality and be somewhat happy or simply to communicate with one another. Most of the enjoyment is temporary and not sufficient, that is why they continue doing what they do. Creative Arts Therapy, also known as Expressive Arts Therapy, helps those who find themselves completely lost and have nowhere to go or anyone to go to. They can express themselves however they please. In order to better understand arts therapy one must have a knowledge of creativity, emotions and, of course, people.
My vision of Art Therapy was very vague. I always thought art therapy was a form of therapy for distressed or abused children trying to tell a story through pictures or drawings. The American Art Therapy Association defines art therapy as a mental health profession that uses the creative process of art making to improve and enhance the physical, mental, and emotional well being of individuals of all ages. Art therapy is a form psychotherapy that has been practiced for over sixty years and it has been promoted as a means of helping people who find it difficult to express themselves verbally (Crawford, et al., 2010). Art therapy sessions usually start with a form of relaxation such as deep breathing , progressive muscle relaxation, or setting an intention for the session ahead (Hart, 2010). Art therapy is used for several different types of people with diverse illnesses such as: Autism Spectrum Disorder, people living with HIV/AIDS, mental disorders and even Cancer. Studies show that art therapy can lead to increased self awareness of self, as well as improved ability to cope with symptoms, stress, and traumatic experiences (American Art Therapy Association). This form of therapy helps these patients express positive feelings that may not be easy to access in the midst of a fear provoking experience (Hart, 2010). Art therapy help people to identify their feelings, and resolve the issues associated with their illness. Although, my lack of knowledge on this therapeu...
Kramer, Edith. “The Art Therapists Third Hand: Reflections on Art, Art Therapy, and Society at Large.” American Journal of Art Therapy Feb. 1986: 71-86.
Art can benefit the unhealthy as well. With 34,000 soldiers coming back from Afghanistan as proposed by Barack Obama, there are many who consequently have mental disabilities or post-traumatic stress disorder. To cope with depression, or other symptoms, many doctors have used art programs...
On the other hand, Quantitative research refers to “variance theory” where quantity describes the research in terms of statistical relationships between different variables (Maxwell, 2013). Quantitative research answers the questions “how much” or “how many?” Quantitative research is an objective, deductive process and is used to quantify attitudes, opinions, behaviors, and other defined variables with generalized results from a larger sample population. Much more structured than qualitative research, quantitative data collection methods include various forms of surveys, personal interviews and telephone interviews, polls, and systematic observations. Methods can be considered “cookie cutter” with a predetermined starting point and a fixed sequence of
Trauma, as defined by the American Psychological Association, is an emotional response to a terrible event like an accident, rape or natural disaster. In order to process and overcome a traumatic experience, most seek a therapist. This is especially true for individuals who have dealt with childhood sexual abuse. There are different types of therapy and therapists that exist that individuals go to. Art therapy is a kind of psychotherapy that uses art as it’s main technique of communications in order to improve the emotional and mental well being of the patients. It combines the areas of human development, visual art such as drawing, sculpture, painting and other kinds of art and the artistic process with counseling and psychotherapy.
Applied behavior analysis is also based off of operant conditioning. Applied behavior analysis is using what we know about behavior and applying to different contexts, such as individual, social, and cultural. Today’s behavior analysis is split into two types of behavior analysis. One is experimental behavior analysis, which is analyzing experiments that are used to learn more about the body and its behaviors, and the other is applied behavior analysis, as previously mentioned. Applied behavior analysis stresses applying behaviors to situations in the real world. Behavior analysis can be used in three ways. One way that it can be used is through experiments that examine the behavior. A second way that it can be used is by applying behavior analysis. A third way to use behavior analysis is through analyzing the concepts of behavior. This method has implications for the philosophical, historical, theoretical and methodological aspects of behavior analysis. Behavior analysis, coupled with behavioral techniques, is used widely today by psychotherapists, counselors, and more professions. Also, applied behaviorism analysis is used today to help children and adults with disabilities learn abilities that will help them operate in their everyday
Salmon, Mark. "Teaching Art and Art Therapy." Opportunities in Visual Arts Careers. Chicago: VGM Career, 2001. 102-12. Print.