Biological practical investigation

Question 1

Abstract

Answer 1

The aim of the investigation was to see whether height was positively correlated with physical aggression among 19 psychology students aged 16 to 18. Opportunity sampling was used for convenience, Participants gave informed consent, completed the Bus Perry Aggression questionnaire and measured their height to the nearest centimetre. Afterward, they were debriefed on the studies purpose. The finding showed a negative correlation, suggesting taller individuals. Maybe less aggressive, though the data was scattered. Using Spearman’s rank test, the critical r value 0.39 was less than the calculated R value 0.464 indicating no significant correlation. Therefore, no meaningful relationship was found between height and physical aggression.

Question 2

Aim and hypothesis

Answer 2

To investigate the relationship between height and physical aggression scores.

Experimental hypotheses: there will be a significant relationship between participants height and physical aggression scores (two tailed, non directional)

Question 3

Procedure

Answer 3

• A correlational study was used to examine the relationship between height and aggression without manipulating variables.
• Opportunity sampling was used with 19 psychology students (aged 16–18) from St. Dominic’s.
• Participants were invited to take part, given a consent form, and allowed to ask questions.
• They completed the Buss Perry Aggression Questionnaire.
• Participants measured their height to the nearest centimetre.
• Each was assigned a number to ensure confidentiality.
• Afterward, they were fully debriefed, reminded of their right to withdraw, and reassured about their results.

Question 4

Findings

Answer 4

• As the calculated our value equals 0.3 is less on the critical value of 0.464. There is no significant relationship between high and aggression.
• This means the taller and centimetre person had no correlation with their physical aggression.
• We use the Spearman’s rank test as we are testing relationships between the variables and the level of measurement is ordinal, (Interval and ratio.)

Question 5

Conclusion

Answer 5

There is no significant difference between height and physical aggression as a critical r value 0.3 is less than the critical r value 0.464

Question 6

Strength

Answer 6

I - There was a very good degree of control.
J - Participants were evenly matched on three potentially confounding variables (age, sex and mental health disorders), and standardised procedures were used (32 minute CPT task was consistent). Also the participants were drug tested, to ensure the effects of drugs would not confound the brain scans.
E - This high degree of control means the findings on the relationship between brain activity and violence can be fairly measured between participants.

Question 7

Weakness

Answer 7

I - The study lacks population validity.
J - This is because there is only a small subset of violent criminals, 41 Murderers who pleaded insane. This does not provide a conclusive explanation of criminal or violent behaviour as a whole. For example, it cannot explain the behaviour of people who are violent alcoholics but are not murderers, or who are murderers but did not plead insane.
E - Therefore, the findings cannot be used to explain all types of aggressive violent behaviour.

Question 8

Improvements

Answer 8

• There could have been more very sample participants in a sample as we only use 19 participants aged 16 to 18, which is not very representative to the wider population, so using a larger number of participants aged 16 to 18 would increase the generalizability of the relationship observed between high aggression.
• We could have gathered data on participants aggression from more than one source e.g. using observational measures with the Buss Peri aggression questionnaire which would increase the accuracy of the participants aggression level, thus increasing the reliability and validity of the relationship between height and aggression.