Quant- Experiments Flashcards
What is a lab experiment?
- controlled environment with artificial setting
- used when wanting to test hypothesis
- find cause n effect
What is a field experiment?
- isolate certain variables so hypothesis can be tested
- natural environment
- researcher i covert, people are unaware
What are extraneous variables?
- variables the researcher is unable to control
- tiredness or mood of P
What is meant by the term Ecological Validity?
How far does it reflect real life
- strength of field experiments
Who conducted lab experiments?
1- Milgram
2- Zimbardo
Labe experiments
MILGRAM
- tested authority and obedience by asking Ps to deliver an electric shock to learner
- controls Vs, high internal validity, reliable
X harm to Ps, deception, right to withdraw
Lab experiments
ZIMBARDO
Stanford Prison Experiment
- prisoners and guards
- no deception, replicable, standardised procedures, high control
X harm both physically and psychologically
X cost, right to withdraw
X invalid behave differently
Which studies conducted field experiments?
1- Rosenthal and Jacobson
2- Small and Marshall
Field experiments
Rosenthal and Jacobson
Self fulfilling prophecy- ‘spurters’
- high ecological validity, natural behaviour
X jeopardise education, deception, consent
Field experiments
Small and Marshall
Racism in Bristol at a bed and breakfast
- reliable, repeatable
X impractical, time consuming, EVs, deception
Who used the comparative method?
Durkheim
What is the comparative method?
Same logic as experiments but focuses on what actually happened rather than artificial situations
- comparing differences across groups in society
The Comparative method
DURKHEIM
Social facts influencing suicide
- research phenomena, convincing evidence, data already collected
- secondary sources of data
X can’t control variables, limits data available, cannot establish true cause and effect
POSITIVISTS
STRENGTHS
- Test hypothesis in controlled conditions - scientific
- manipulate variables to establish cause n effect
- reliable, repeatable, falsification, valid true behaviour
INTERPRETIVISTS CRITICISE
WEAKNESSES
X can’t control extraneous variables
X humans are unpredictable
X Hawthorn effect = invalid
X deception, consent, harm
X not representative
X impractical, time consuming
The Hawthorne Effect
MAYO
Field experiment
- workers were more productive because they were aware they were being observed
- factory in Chicago
- factors affecting productivity
- lighting, breaks, temperature
- productivity increased regardless
Experimental vs Comparative
E- artificial set up situations
C- collect data from the real world and look for differences between groups n societies
