Laboratory and field experiments Flashcards
What is the definition of a laboratory experiment?
An experiment carried out in a controlled setting.
What is the definition of a field experiment?
A controlled experiment done outside of the laboratory.
What are the strengths of a laboratory experiment?
It has a high level of control extraneous variables so has a high internal validity.
What are the weaknesses of a laboratory experiment?
has low ecological validity as the environment that the participants are in is more artificial and thus not reflective of a real life situation. Demand characteristics are high as the environment is artificial so the participants are more likely to guess the aims of the experiment and change there behavior.
What are the strengths of a feild experiment?
has high external validity because the environment the participants are in is closer to a real life situation. Demand characteristics are low as the participants are usually unaware that they are being experimented on so there behavior is more natural.
What are the weaknesses of a field experiment.
A controlled experiment done outside of the laboratory. Has lower internal validity as it is more difficult to control extraneous variables. There are more ethical issues as the participants do not know that they are taking part in an experiment. It is difficult to debrief them.
