Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is a key advantage of laboratory experiments?
What is a key advantage of laboratory experiments?
What is a significant disadvantage of conducting field experiments?
What is a significant disadvantage of conducting field experiments?
How does controlling extraneous variables impact laboratory experiments?
How does controlling extraneous variables impact laboratory experiments?
What does experimental validity refer to?
What does experimental validity refer to?
Signup and view all the answers
What typically happens when extraneous variables are tightly controlled in an experiment?
What typically happens when extraneous variables are tightly controlled in an experiment?
Signup and view all the answers
In field experiments, what is a major challenge in establishing cause and effect?
In field experiments, what is a major challenge in establishing cause and effect?
Signup and view all the answers
What may happen to the results of laboratory experiments due to their artificial nature?
What may happen to the results of laboratory experiments due to their artificial nature?
Signup and view all the answers
What is typically a focus of concern regarding the validity of an experiment?
What is typically a focus of concern regarding the validity of an experiment?
Signup and view all the answers
What does internal validity primarily assess in a study?
What does internal validity primarily assess in a study?
Signup and view all the answers
Which type of validity is most concerned with applying experimental results to real-life situations?
Which type of validity is most concerned with applying experimental results to real-life situations?
Signup and view all the answers
Based on the evaluation of the violent video games experiment, what is the main issue with external and ecological validity?
Based on the evaluation of the violent video games experiment, what is the main issue with external and ecological validity?
Signup and view all the answers
What characterizes laboratory experiments in terms of validity?
What characterizes laboratory experiments in terms of validity?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a drawback of natural experiments regarding ecological validity?
What is a drawback of natural experiments regarding ecological validity?
Signup and view all the answers
In evaluating the question of whether violent video games increase aggression, what conclusion can be drawn regarding real-life implications?
In evaluating the question of whether violent video games increase aggression, what conclusion can be drawn regarding real-life implications?
Signup and view all the answers
Which statement best describes external validity?
Which statement best describes external validity?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a key rule of thumb regarding the spectrum of internal and external validity?
What is a key rule of thumb regarding the spectrum of internal and external validity?
Signup and view all the answers
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Experiments Types
-
Laboratory Experiments:
- Artificial setting
- High levels of standardization
- Tight control
- Independent and dependent variables present
- Aim to control extraneous variables, but this can be difficult
-
Field Experiments:
- Participants in natural setting
- Independent variable manipulated
- Dependent variable also measured
- Attempt to control extraneous variables, but it can be difficult
- More room for situational variables impacting the dependent variable
Problems with Laboratory Experiments
- Unnatural situations
- The more extraneous variables controlled, the less realistic the experiment becomes
- Manipulation of independent variable may not cause the change in dependent variable
- (Experiment) is unnatural and therefore doesn't generalize to real life.
Problems with Field Experiments
- Can't control all variables affecting the dependent variable
- Real-life situations are chaotic, which limits clear cause & effect
- Difficult to conclude that the manipulated variable necessarily caused the measured effect
Validity
-
Validity:
- A study is valid if it accurately represents what it intends to represent.
- Experimental validity refers to how variables influence results and generalizability to the population.
- Validity also refers to how well a test measures what it was designed to measure.
-
Internal Validity:
- How well a study establishes a cause-and-effect relationship
- Crucial for determining if a treatment/intervention caused an outcome
-
External Validity:
- How well the study’s findings can be applied to other settings
- How generalisable the results are to real-life situations
-
Ecological Validity:
- Extent to which the findings of a study can be generalised to real-life settings
- Particularly useful for understanding how behaviors manifest in familiar contexts
Research Question Example
- Do violent video games make people more violent?
Evaluation of Experiment
- High Internal Validity, Low External Validity: Experiments can accurately measure the effect of video games on aggression, but the artificial situation might not reflect real-world reactions.
Spectrum of Experiments
- There is a spectrum of experimental methodologies.
- Laboratory experiments have high internal validity, but often lack external validity.
- Field experiments have higher external validity, but often lower internal validity.
- Natural experiments are often high external validity but often lack internal validity.
Triangulation
- Psychologists use various methods (e.g. different types of experiments, interviews) to analyze research questions—this is known as triangulation.
Homework
- Review material on validity and types of experiments,
- Focus on identifying subjective and objective aspects of research.
- Note different types of validity (internal, external)
- Note Generalizability- demand characteristics
- Note strengths and weaknesses of different experiment types (lab & field)
Strengths and Weaknesses of Lab Experiments
- Strengths: High standardization, replicability, high control over extraneous variables, confident the IV affects the DV
- Weaknesses: Artificial setting, tasks are often not real-life (lack mundane realism) participants know they're in an experiment (demand characteristics)
Strengths and Weaknesses of Field Experiments
- Strengths: Realistic settings, high ecological validity, participants are typically unaware, reduces demand characteristics
- Weaknesses: Difficulty controlling situational variables, uncertain if the IV is causing the effect or another uncontrolled variable, difficulty establishing cause/effect relationships. ethical issues (like informed consent)
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Related Documents
Description
This quiz explores different types of experiments used in psychology, focusing on laboratory and field experiments. It examines the strengths and weaknesses of each method, including issues with controlling variables and the generalizability of results. Test your knowledge on experimental design and its implications for psychological research.
