Validity Flashcards
Define validity
Results are accurate and measure what they are supposed to be measuring
Define internal validity
Extent to which findings can be attributed to the effect of the IV
Define external validity
Extent to which research findings can be generalised.
What are the types of external validity?
Population, temporal, ecological
Which psychologists criticised Milgram’s work for internal and external validity?
Orné and Holland (1968)
Why did Orné and Holland believe that Milgram’s work lacked internal validity?
They thought participants believed that they weren’t really giving electric shocks, but were instead responding to demand characteristics
How did Milgram defend himself against claims he lacked internal validity?
- video footage showed distress e.g. Crying, trembling
- follow up interviews showed that only 2.6% believed it was definitely not real
- doesn’t explain why conformity dropped in variation studies
In Sheridan and King’s study which supports Milgram’s internal validity, what percentage of Ps gave shocks to puppies until the end?
75%
Which types of external validity did Orne and Holland claim Milgram’s study lacked?
Population and ecological
Why was it said he lacked population validity?
- androcentric sample
- ethnocentric sample (all American from an individualistic society)
How did Milgram defend counts of poor population validity?
- Levels of obedience have been found to be similar for females showing results can be generalised to women
- Milgram’s study has been replicated in other countries with similar results
Which countries were an exception to Milgram’s results having population validity?
Germany - 85%
Australia - 40%
Why did Orné and Holland believe Milgram’s study lacked ecological validity?
Task of electric shocks too artificial
What study is a defence of Milgram’s study lacking ecological validity?
Hofling’s nurse study
