Experiments Flashcards
What is an independent variable?
The thing in the experiment which you are in control of and can manipulate.
What is a dependent variable?
The thing which you measure(shown in the results).
What is operationalisation?
Measuring the specific behaviour or thing for the results (normally in numerical form).
What is an extranous variable?
A factor (like the IV) which can impact the DvV.
What is a situational variable?
Changes that occur in the situation the participants are in (e.g. crowds).
What is a participant variable?
Difference between the participants themselves (e.g. intelligence)
What is a cofounding variable?
A type of extraneous variable which changes systematically with the IV
What is an alternitive hypothesis?
Where you make a prediction where the IV will effect the DV.
What isa null hypothesis?
Making a prediction where the IV will not effct the DV.
What is a directional/ one-tailed hypthesis?
A concrete prediction where you predict there will be a change and what way the change will go.
What is a non-directional/ two-tailed hypothesis?
An unsure prediction where you predict there will be a change but don’t know which way the change will go.
What is a lab experiment?
-Takes place in a controlled setting.
-Standardised situation.
-Variables of manipulated to determined cause and effect.
-In an artificial setting.
What is a field experiment?
-Variables are manipulated to determined cause and effect.
-Done in a real life situation.
What is social desiarablity?
Acting or responding in a way which is deemed to be a socially acceptable rather than their own response.
What is demand characteristics?
Where the ppts form and interpretation of the study and subconsciously change their behaviour to fit that interpretation.
What is some strengths of a lab experiment?
-Higher level of control so less extraneous variables -very valid.
-Easy to repeat as standardised- highly reliable.
What are some weaknesses of a lab experiment?
-Cannot be used to explain real world behaviour as it is conducted in an artificial setting.
-More likely to have demand characteristics.
What are some strengths of a field experiment?
-High ecological validity.
-High in mundane realism.
-Less demand characteristics- valid.
-Less social desirability.
What are some weaknesses of a field experiment?
Lower reliability as there are more EV’s.
-Not as standardised- lowers reliability.
