Experiments

Question 1

What is an experiment & what are they used to identify?

+ what is a confounding variable?

Answer 1

classic research method of the natural sciences including psychology:
- hypotheses are empirically tested (researcher manipulates independent variable to observe dependent variable under controlled conditions
- measurements observed & recorded to analyse the effect of changing variables statistically
- researcher aims to identify cause & effect

+ variable which might affect the dependent variable, other than the independent variable

Question 2

What is the experimental group?
+ what is the control group?

• what are the 3 types of experiment?

Answer 2

those who experience the manipulated variable
+ group who is matched to the experimental group as much as possible but don’t experience the manipulated variable

• Lab, Field & Thought

Question 3

1) Why are laboratory experiments highly reliable?

2) Why do positivists prefer lab experiments?

3) Why are lab experiments unrepresentative?

Answer 3

1) - researcher can specify exact steps used
- very controlled environment
- no personal feelings or opinions involved

2) They look to identify cause & effect relationships so trends & generalisations can be made

3) They involve lots of time, money & effort so the sample size is usually very small

Question 4

What are some practical issues with lab experiments?

+ What are some ethical issues with lab experiments? (example of a study to support this?)

Answer 4

• impossible to identify & control all possible variables
• cannot be used to study the past
• usually only study small samples
• expensive & time-consuming
• requires specific skills of researcher
• financial incentives may have to be used

+ lack of informed consent (e.g children)
+ deception
+ harm to participants

(Milgram’s study led to many participants feeling distressed e.g seizures or trembling)

Question 5

Why are lab experiments often considered invalid?

+ why do Interpretivists dislike them?

Answer 5

• labs are artificial settings so participants may not act true to reality
• subjects may respond to the fact they are being observed rather than the variables (Hawthorne Effect)

+ human have free will & choice so our behaviour cannot be explained by cause & effect
+ they prefer meanings & motives

Question 6

What is a field experiment?

(examples of field experiment studies)

+ what are some advantages & disadvantages of this type of experiment?

Answer 6

researcher manipulates one or more variables in the subject’s natural surroundings rather than an artificial lab. Those involved aren’t usually aware they are subjects of an experiment.

(Rosenthal & Jacobson and Rosenhan)

+ more natural and realistic so more valid (no Hawthorne Effect)

• less control over variables
• unethical due to lack of knowledge or consent

Question 7

What are thought/natural experiments?

(example of thought experiment study)

+ what are some advantages & disadvantages of this type of experiment?

Answer 7

• carried out only in the mind of the researcher & doesn’t involve actual experimentation on people
• used to identify cause & effect
• identify two groups who are alike except for one variable & compare them

(Durkheim’s Le Suicide)

+ avoids artificiality so valid
+ can be used to study the past
+ no ethical issues

• open to bias
• even less control over variables