CH8 Experimental Research

Question 1

the group that is exposed to the experimental manipulation.

Answer 1

experimental group

Question 2

the group that is not exposed to the manipulation of the independent variable.

Answer 2

control group

Question 3

when an apparent relation between two concepts is actually the result of some third concept (confound) influencing both of them

Answer 3

spuriousness

Question 4

three conditions for causing causality

Answer 4

1) 2 variables must be correlated
2) the cause (IV) must precede the effect (DV)
3) relationship between IV and DV must not be spurious

Question 5

the degree to which a study establishes a causal effect of the independent variable on the dependent

Answer 5

internal validity

Question 6

when a researcher subtly or unconsciously affects the performance of a study participant

Answer 6

experimenter effects

Question 7

when certain types of people are selected into situations based on personal characteristics

Answer 7

selection bias

Question 8

take place in laboratories, giving researchers the maximum amount of control over the environment in which the experiment is conducted

Answer 8

laboratory experiments

Question 9

Type of experiment?

Strengths:
High degree of internal validity
Highly artificial setting allows researchers to assess causality and test abstract theories
Salience is when participants notice the experimental manipulation.

Weaknesses:
Questions whether it is generalizable

Answer 9

laboratory experiment

Question 10

Experiment that takes place in a natural or “real-world” setting;
They are often used to evaluate the success of interventions to improve educational and health outcomes

Answer 10

field experiments

Question 11

where neither the researcher nor the participant is aware of which condition they are in

Answer 11

double blind study

Question 12

experiments that rely on survey methods and are conducted on a representative sample of the population of interest; rely on self-reports

Answer 12

population based survey experiments

Question 13

Type of experiment?

Strengths
Higher degree of external validity

Weaknesses
Lower internal validity
Self-reports do not always match actual feelings or behaviors
Researchers cannot ensure the independent variable was salient to all participants
Researchers have less control over other factors influencing the outcome

Answer 13

population based survey experiments

Question 14

when the independent variable is manipulated by “nature,” not by the experimenter; Participants are assigned to conditions by natural forces, not by experimental procedures; more like an observation study than a true experiment

Answer 14

natural experiment

Question 15

Type of experiment?

Strengths
Occur in realistic settings
Useful for assessing whether an outcome occurs

Weaknesses
Cannot assess mechanisms through which outcomes occur
Participants not randomly assigned to groups

Answer 15

natural experiment

Question 16

4 stages of laboratory experiment

Answer 16

1) Create setting
2) Manipulate independent variable (other variables constant)
3) Devise a valid and reliable measure of the dependent variable
4) Assess the quality of the experiment and work to ensure the participant’s well-being

Question 17

gives researchers more control over other factors that can affect the relationship between the independent and dependent variables

Answer 17

manipulating independent variable

Question 18

Three main types of dependent measures in experiments are

Answer 18

behavioral, attitudinal, physiological

Question 19

dependent variable measures collected by observing the overt and observable actions of participants; can measure if stereotypes have a negative effect

Answer 19

behavioral measures

Question 20

dependent variable measure that are self-reported responses of participants to questions about their attitudes, opinions, emotions, and beliefs; susceptible to social desirability bias

Answer 20

attitudinal measures

Question 21

biological responses to stimuli; These measures are helpful for understanding how and why behavioral measures occur; less susceptible to social desirability bias

Answer 21

physiological measures

Question 22

a way of addressing limitations of experiment: the use of multiple research methods to study the same general research question and determine if different types of evidence and approaches still lead to consistent findings

Answer 22

triangulation