practical investigation

Question 1

aim

Answer 1

to investigate gender differences in attitudes towards obedience and authority figures using self report questionnaires

Question 2

Describe the background of this practical

Answer 2

Investigating gender differences in obedience can help to potentially understand causes

Question 3

research which supports and refutes the aim

Answer 3

Milgram’s (1963) and Burger’s (2009) research found no gender differences with both genders being equally as likely to give up to 300V

Sheridan and King’s (1972) research found gender differences in that 100% of females would shock a dog compared to 54% of males

Question 4

State the fully operationalised alternative hypothesis

Answer 4

There will be a significant difference in the attitudes towards obedience, measured by scores out of 50 and themes, between males and females.

Question 5

State the fully operationalised null hypothesis.

Answer 5

There will be no significant difference in attitudes towards obedience, measured by scores out of 50 and themes, between males and females, any difference will be due to chance.

Question 6

What sample did we use in our practical?

Answer 6

39 ppts (20 males, 19 females)
16-18 years
King Edward VI College in Stourbridge

Question 7

sampling method

Answer 7

opportunity

Question 8

methods used

Answer 8

questionnaire and thematic analysis

Question 9

content of the questionnaire

Answer 9

10 closed questions using a Likert scale
4 distractor questions
3 with reversed scoring
2 open questions

Question 10

procedure

Answer 10

We used an opportunity sample of 39 ppts that study at KEDST aged 16-18 years.

We gave them a questionnaire containing 10 closed Qs with a Likert scale, 4 distractor Qs, 3 with reversed scoring, and 2 open Qs

Gave ppts a briefing, allowing them the right to withdraw and assuring confidentiality of their answers

Ppts completed the questionnaire privately with no time limit

Once complete we gave a debrief (using the same as in the beginning due to it being scripted), giving the ppts another chance to withdraw

After collecting data we used thematic analysis to decipher reoccurring themes in the 2 open questions

Using this we created codes for themes of attitudes towards obedience and refined the categories overtime

Question 11

variables in the practical

Answer 11

V = gender

DV = attitude towards obedience (scored out of 50 + themes)

Controls = same questions, all ppts answered privately, the same brief/debrief

Question 12

results of the qualitative data

Answer 12

Females = 33
Males = 33.5
The mean scores of males and females on their attitudes towards obedience were not significantly different.

Question 13

results of the qualitative data

Answer 13

Females = 33
Males = 33.5
The mean scores of males and females on their attitudes towards obedience were not significantly different.

Question 14

conclusion from the results

Answer 14

There was no gender difference in attitudes towards obedience, and so accept the null hypothesis.

Question 15

improvements that can be made on the practical research

Question 16

evaluate using GRAVE