W6 Experimental Control, Ecological Validity, Ageing Flashcards
What is the primary goal of experimental control in research?
to minimize the influence of extraneous variables to ensure that any observed effects are due to the experimental manipulation itself
This helps in isolating the intended psychological processes from unintended ones
How does the use of specific stimuli in visual search experiments demonstrate experimental control?
stimuli are arranged with specific spatial separations to control for set-size and search difficulty
this precise arrangement allows researchers to manipulate and measure these variables effectively while minimizing the impact of extraneous factors.
What is the tradeoff between experimental control and ecological validity?
internal vs. external validity?
The tradeoff is between the high level of control over experimental conditions and the extent to which the results can be generalized to real-world settings
High experimental control may lead to artificial conditions that do not accurately reflect real-life scenarios, affecting the ecological validity of the findings.
Explain the difference between context-sensitive and context-invariant psychological processes
Context-sensitive psychological processes manifest differently in laboratory settings compared to real-life situations. In contrast, context-invariant processes produce consistent results regardless of the setting
To what extent is artificiality in experiments an issue?
it depends on the extent that the psychological process is context sensitive or context invariant
What are the advantages and disadvantages of high ecological validity in research?
Advantages: Results are more generalizable to real-life settings and are more likely to reflect how psychological processes operate in everyday contexts
Disadvantages: High ecological validity often comes with reduced experimental control, making it harder to isolate specific variables and understand their effects clearly. This can lead to ambiguities about which variables are influencing the observed outcomes.
Not all well-controlled experimental paradigms are necessarily artificial
Some tap ‘domain-general’ processes that can be predictive in many setting - what is an example of domain general?
OSPAN task: doing maths problems and then remembering random letters
measures working memory capacity that is predictive of many other psych processes, cognitive empathy, education, attentional resources
What are 3 examples of how lab constructs are applied in real life?
Example 1 = visual search
Example 2 = testing face perception
Example 3 = memory studies
- researchers use real life scenarios to increase ecological validity = visual search in airport screening checks
- recognition in CCTV footage, but were they using another cue that’s not face perception, eg. recognising them based on their clothing
- by asking people about autobiographical events, but how do you verify whether or not the events happened to someone, which is challenging to be 100% confident about whether the memory was based on a real event or if it was distorted
How does the Useful Field of View (UFOV) task demonstrate the balance between experimental control and real-life applicability?
The UFOV task involves detecting and identifying objects in a brief presentation, which helps measure attentional breadth. It maintains experimental control by manipulating presentation time and task difficulty.
Simultaneously, it has practical applications as UFOV scores predict real-life driving performance and can be used to improve driving skills, demonstrating a blend of control and ecological relevance.
What is an example of research that began theoretical and became more practical?
Treisman - feature integration theory of visual search with high experimental control, using simple letters and shapes with RTs manipulating set size and item type
Wolf - real life experiments demonstrate the impact of target prevalence in visual search in baggage screenings and medical images, that is, the visual search in real life is relatively rare and not 50/50 like in traditional, ie. people miss targets when they are rare
How does applied research differ from basic research?
The primary goal of basic research,
- is to increase knowledge and understanding of underlying processes and mechanism
-it focuses on answering fundamental questions about how things work
- without immediate concern for practical applications.
Applied research is conducted with
- the aim of solving specific
- real-world problems and applying knowledge to address practical issues
Give an example of how basic research has led to practical applications
- Pavlov’s research on classical conditioning = unconditioned stimulus could be paired with a neutral stimulus to produce a conditioned response
- led to exposure therapy for phobias
- Loftus and Palmer: wording of questions could influence eyewitnesses’ recollections of an event
- had significant implications for the legal system, highlighting the potential for false memories and the need for careful handling of eyewitness testimony.
What is the significance of domain-general processes in basic research?
Domain-general processes are fundamental cognitive mechanisms that apply across various contexts, such as attentional control or memory. Basic research on these processes, like understanding how attentional breadth shifts, provides insights into broad psychological functions that can inform both theoretical understanding and practical applications
What role does basic research play in the development of therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)?
Research on cognitive appraisals, schemas, and classical conditioning has informed the development of CBT techniques that address maladaptive thought patterns and behaviors, demonstrating the practical application of theoretical knowledge
What are executive functions, and why are they important in cognitive psychology?
Executive functions are domain-general cognitive processes that enable goal-directed actions. They include:
Switching: The ability to shift attention between tasks.
Updating: The capacity to refresh the contents of working memory.
Inhibition: The ability to suppress goal-irrelevant stimuli to maintain focus on goal pursuit. These functions are crucial for managing complex tasks, decision-making, and adapting to new situations.
