Lab, Field And Natural Experiments Flashcards
(10 cards)
What is a field experiment?
Experiment conducted in a more natural setting, the iv is deliberately manipulated, participants are often not aware that they are participanting
What is a lab experiment?
Experiment conducted in a special environment where variables can be carefully controlled, participants know they are taking part but don’t always know the true aim of the study.
What is a natural experiment?
Experiment where the environment but the change in iv is ‘natural’
Why is a natural experiment not seen as a ‘true’ experiment?
Because true experiments include the iv changing manually rather than naturally
What is 2 strengths of lab experiments?
Can be controlled easier-extraneous variables minimised
Easily replicated
What are 2 strengths of field experiments?
More natural-less artificial
Avoids participant effects
What is 2 strengths of natural experiments?
Iv can’t be manipulated for ethical or practical reasons
Enables psychologists to study ‘real’ problems such as th effects of a disaster on health
What are 2 weaknesses of lab experiments?
Participants know they’re being studied so may not act normally
Less natural
What are 2 weaknesses of field experiments?
Extraneous variables less easy to control
Participants don’t know so could be ethical issues
What are 2 weaknesses of natural experiments?
Only be used where conditions change naturally
Cannot demonstrate casual relationships because iv not direct,y manipulated
