Describe and evaluate the use of field experiments to test the reliability of EWT Flashcards
How are field experiments used to study EWT?
Field experiments are used to study EWT by allowing the manipulation of the independent variable whilst measuring the dependent variable in a more natural setting using incidents that have been set up deliberately by the experimenters.
Give an example of how a field experiment used to study EWT would be carried out.
Eg, researchers might stage a robbery in the middle of college campus and the IV may be whether the witnesses are close to the incident or not and the DV may be how accurate their testimony is.
Give an example of a field experiment in crime?
Maass & Kohnken (1989)
How do field studies differ from field experiments?
Field studies differ as there is no control over the incident; this is an event which has occurred naturally and was no set up by the researchers.
In a field study what can the researcher manipulate?
The researchers are able to manipulate an independent variable later by questioning participants about the crime they witnessed.
Give an example of a field study in crime?
Yuille and Cutshall (1986).
Evaluate in terms of reliability.
Reliability refers to the consistency of findings established by standardised procedures and being able to replicate a study. Field experiments have relatively low reliability compared to lab because such experiments are hard to replicate due to less standardised procedures and lack of control over variables. Extraneous variables may occur in natural settings and effects the findings of the study, leading to inconsistent results and therefore low reliability.
Evaluate in terms of validity.
Ecological validity refers to mundane realism. Field experiments have good ecological validity because participants in the research are essentially experiencing the conditions as a real eye witness. Furthermore, the research takes place in the participants natural setting and it is likely that the results will generalise from the experiment to real life.
What is associated with field experiments and what does this increase?
Demand characteristics are associated with field experiments. There is little chance of participants working out the aims of the experiments because they are usually unaware that they are taking part in psychological research. This would mean that the participants would not alter their behaviour in response to the demands of the situation therefore increasing validity.
Evaluate in terms of ethical issues.
Ethical issues such as consent and the right to withdraw may be largely avoided in field experiments. If an incident is staged that a person might experience in their everyday lives, there is less need for consent. Similarly, a right to withdraw may not be an issue if participants are likely to encounter the situation in normal life. However the researcher must make sure that the incident won’t cause distress.
