Social Practical

Question 1

Aim

Answer 1

To see if there are any differences in locus of control scores and age

To see if there are differences in views on age.

Question 2

Hypothesis

Answer 2

Alternative:
Participants aged 30-55 will have higher locus of control compared to those aged 16-18

Null:
There will be no significant difference in locus of control score in those aged 30-55 and those age 16-18. Any difference will be due to chance.

Question 3

Procedure

Answer 3

Use a standardised measure of locus control and generate one open question to measure differences in view regarding obedience.

6 participants aged 16-18 answered the questionnaire and were given 2 minutes to answer the questionnaire including the open questions.

Participants were debriefed and allowed to withdraw the data if they wished to do so.

We then individually gave participants (6) aged 30-55 years the questionnaire and they were given 2 minutes to complete their questionnaire.

Participants were they debriefed and allowed to withdraw the data if they wished to do so.

Question 4

Data analysis

Answer 4

We analysed our data using thematic analysis. We generated themes after looking at the data produced from our open questions and then tailed based on the themes we created (older and younger people).

We also analysed the data from locus of control questionnaire e.g. mean of young people (11.5) compared to mean (17.5).

Question 5

Evaluation of social practical (GRVE)

Answer 5

G) the use of psychology students is a problem due to low generalisable and results could be due to demand characteristics

R) the locus of control is a standardised measure of locus of control is a strength because it can give a statistical and comparative number for objective comparison. However it may be a problem as it doesn’t take in the complex nature and holistic view of locus of control

V) the locus of control questionnaire may not be valid as it is a self assessment (social selectivity) however it is valid because it uses standardised procedure.

E) ethical considerations were made such as allowing participants to remove there data.

Question 6

2 improvements of your practical

Answer 6

The sample size needs increasing, by having 30 participants for each age group. This would allow for higher generalisability and more accurate mean for each age groups level of locus of control.

Participants from multiple cultures and ethnicitys should be used in the study. This could be achieved by advertising the experiment in multiple cultures by social media. This could allow for cross cultural understanding of locus of control of different age groups which allow for global generation.