Perry Et Al (evaluation)

Question 1

Name 3 strengths of Perry’s experiment

Answer 1

1. Lab experiment design and controlled settings.
2. Standardisation and reliability
3. Quantitative data

Question 2

Name 3 weaknesses of Perry’s experiment

Answer 2

1. Low ecological validity/mundane realism
2. Generalisability and representativeness
3. Marginal significance of results

Question 3

One strength of the study is that it was a lab experiment which was conducted in a highly controlled environment.

Answer 3

1. Use of double blind technique/ placebo controlled design(eliminates researcher bias in terms of data interpretation and demand characteristic particularly expectancy bias as ppts expectations won’t affect their behaviour)
2. Controlling extraneous variables via the waiting room (social interaction minimised after the administration)
3. Counterbalancing- half did the experiment on week 1 and then 2. Controls for fatigue effects. Important for this study’s as there were 96 trials in experiment 1. Built in rest periods. To not affect ppt performance.

Question 4

Another strength of the study was the use of standardisation and computer programming to raise the replicability of the study.

Answer 4

1. All participants were administered the same amount of oxytocin with 3 drops in each nostril, self administered under the supervision of the researcher.
2. All participants in experiment 1 were shown the same CID design with the same slides, a total of 96 times, in the same standardized manner.
3. The pair of images shown to the participants in experiment 2 were also the same.

Question 5

Another strength of the study is that quantitative data was collected which is objective and numerical and allows for comparisons to be made.

Answer 5

1. Pptts in the high empathy condition under OT had the least preferred interpersonal distance with all four protagonists, especially the friend.
2. Ptts in the low empathy condition under oxytocin had the most preferred interpersonal distance with the protagonists, particularly with the stranger.
3. Which shows that different empathy levels play a crucial role in our preferred interpersonal distances

Question 6

One weakness of the study is that as it was conducted in the highly controlled and artificial setting of a lab, it lacks ecological validity.

Answer 6

1. Ppts were asked to judge interpersonal distances using computer generated images and to respond using key boards.
2. Lacks mundane realism as our choices on preferred distance is influenced by complex cues (facial expression).
3. There experiences with personal space with people known to them wouldn’t be the same as the study

Question 7

Another weakness of the study was the lack of representativeness of the sample, thus limiting the generalisations that can be made.

Answer 7

1. The sample consisted of 54 males androcentric (lowers generalisability to females)
2. All from same university/ all students (lowers generalisability to wider population, people outside the uni )
3. No psychiatric disorders/ neurodivergent