Experiments

Question 1

independent variable

Answer 1

creates the conditions, this is manipulated

Question 2

dependent variable

Answer 2

variable being measured - measured in same way for all conditions

Question 3

extraneous variable

Answer 3

if not controlled can confound the results of the study - the researcher must try and control any variables that may interfere between the cause and effect relationship of the iv and dv

Question 4

operationalisation

Answer 4

precisely defining a variable so it can be measured

Question 5

lab experiment

Answer 5

conducted in a highly controlled environment which is artificial and set up for the study. Researcher directly manipulates the IV whilst keeping any other factors under control

Question 6

field experiment

Answer 6

conducted in a natural setting where researcher manipulates the IV but in a naturally occurring environment

Question 7

quasi experiment

Answer 7

researcher makes use of an existing Iv and therefore does not manipulate the IV, researcher can’t randomly assign participants to a condition

Question 8

strength of lab

Answer 8

high levels of control means the researcher is confident that no extraneous variables have confounded the data
increases internal validity so C&E can be established between IV and DV

Question 9

weakness of lab

Answer 9

artificial setting and tasks mean the study often bears little resemblance to real life
lacks ecological validity so findings can’t be generalized

Question 10

strength of field

Answer 10

high ecological validity so likely to get behavior that resembles real life so findings can be generalized to real life situations

Question 11

weakness of field

Answer 11

low levels of control so lots of extraneous variables so establishing C&E can be difficult reducing internal validity

Question 12

strength of quasi

Answer 12

researcher can use an IV that would be unethical or not practical to manipulate
gather more insight which leads us to develop practical applications

Question 13

weakness of quasi

Answer 13

Iv is naturally occurring so participants naturally belong to one condition or another
researcher can’t randomly assign conditions which may increase risk of individual differences

Question 14

independent measures

Answer 14

participants are randomly assigned to one of the experimental conditions

Question 15

repeated measures

Answer 15

participants take part in all experimental conditions

Question 16

matched pairs/participants

Answer 16

researcher allocates participants to each group carefully to ensure that the groups match in terms of key characteristics

Question 17

strength of independent

Answer 17

no risk of order effect

Question 18

weakness of independent

Answer 18

high risk of individual differences

Question 19

strength of repeated

Answer 19

no risk of individual differences

Question 20

weakness of repeated

Answer 20

high risk of order effect

Question 21

strength of matched pairs

Answer 21

no risk of order effect

Question 22

weakness of matched pairs

Answer 22

very difficult to put in place

Question 23

order effect

Answer 23

occur when participants experience multiple conditions and theor performance after the first condition is influenced by having done it before so they score higher through practice

Question 24

counterbalancing

Answer 24

trials/tasks are presented in different orders to prevent order effects influencing the results

Question 25

name the three types of extraneous variables

Answer 25

situational
participant
experimenter

Question 26

situational variables

Answer 26

anything environmental that can effect participants behavoiur e.g noise, how crowded an area is

Question 27

how to control situational variables

Answer 27

keep environment as similar as possible for all participants

Question 28

participant variables

Answer 28

any differences between participants not accounted for in the IV like gender, age

Question 29

how to control participant variables

Answer 29

having a large sample size (only minimises)
matched pairs

Question 30

experimenter variables

Answer 30

researcher may unconsciously convey to participants how they should behave which is known as experimenter bias or researcher bias
can lead to demand characteristics

Question 31

expectation effects

Answer 31

may occur when a researcher is deeply committed to achieving a particular outcome - may lead to self-fulfilling prophecy where a researcher subtly influences often without realizing the outcome like suggesting the group will do well

Question 32

how to control experimenter variables

Answer 32

single blind procedure
double blind procedure
using placebo conditions
standardized instructions

Question 33

single blind procedure

Answer 33

investigator prevents participant from knowing the aims of the study/ which condition they are in which reduces demand characteristics

Question 34

double blind procedure

Answer 34

neither participants or researcher knows the true aims of the study/ condition allocation which reduces demand characteristics and prevents researcher bias

Question 35

using placebo conditions

Answer 35

participants believe they are receiving something when they are not which controls demand characteristics

Question 36

standardized instrucions

Answer 36

every participant receives all the same information so less possibility the researcher can communicate expectations. All participants receive same treatment and information

Question 37

pilot study

Answer 37

small scale trial of a research design run before the real thing and often done to see if certain things work

Question 38

by identifying potential problems with the research a psychologist can control possible ______ ______.

Answer 38

extraneous variables