Loftus And Palmer Evaluation

Question 1

Evaluate in terms of reliability.

Answer 1

This study had a standardised procedure meaning that the study is replicable which increases the reliability of the findings. For example, all participants watched the same film and were asked identical questions except for one word change (the IV).

Question 2

Evaluate in terms of data.

Answer 2

Objective data was collected; by using estimates of speed, the researchers gathered quantitative data and therefore no interpretation of the data was needed making their study more objective. Its also allowed the carrying out of a statistical analysis of the data to determine if the results are significant,

Question 3

Evaluate in terms of validity.

Answer 3

The aim of the study was disguised by ‘hiding’ the leading question amongst others. This meant the participants would be less likely to guess the aim of the study therefore helping to reduce demand characteristics. This would increase the validity of the findings.

Question 4

Evaluate in terms of ecological validity.

Answer 4

This study is low in ecological validity because the experiment used a situation which was not like real life (lacked mundane realism). The participants would not experience the same emotional strain whilst watching a film clip as they would if they had been witness to a real car accident. It therefore lacks validity and can’t be generalised.

Question 5

Evaluate in terms of generalisability.

Answer 5

Using students as participants it might be said that the findings are not generalisable to the whole population. Students’ memories may be different to other age groups and people with different occupations and many may have not been drivers themselves. Furthermore, the sample tested was relatively small so again may not be representative of all eye witnesses. (which changed in the second experiement).