Location of research

Question 1

What is a laboratory environment?

Answer 1

It takes place in controlled, artificial conditions where extraneous variables like room temperature and noise levels can be manipulated and controlled.
(WATSON AND RAYNER IS AN EXAMPLE- TOOK PLACE IN A CONTROLLED LAB SETTING).

Question 2

Advantages and disadvantages of a lab environment?

Answer 2

+ High control over extraneous variables (increased internal validity)
+ Specialist equipment used (PET scans)
+ Replication of conditions is easy as there’s high control
- Demand characteristics (participant changes behaviour accordingly)
- Some behaviours only seen in natural settings, not replicated.
- Low ecological validity

Question 3

What is a field environment?

Answer 3

Takes place outside of the lab and in a more natural setting. Can be anything from an actual field to a college/school (studying teachers/students).
Key thing is that the situation matches the natural environment for the behaviour of interest to the researcher.

Question 4

Advantages and disadvantages of field environments?

Answer 4

+ High ecological validity (more natural behaviour as less demand characteristics)
+ Can investigate behaviours which would be difficult to examine in a lab
- Lower control over extraneous variables (E.G. noise, temperature variations).
- Lack of valid consent as participants may not be aware they’re being studied.

Question 5

What is an on-line environment?

Answer 5

Surveys and online/social media etc.

Surveys can be created and shared via social media to obtain large sample sizes relatively quickly.

Question 6

Advantages and disadvantages of on-line environments?

Answer 6

+ Cost effective (often use free software)
+ Large samples can be acquired (NOSEK (2002) COLLECTED 1.2 MILLION COMPLETED RESPONSES) (Diverse sample is obtained, less risk of cultural bias).
- Risk of false behaviour
- Have no control over who takes part
- Research methods may be more limited.