AS Psychology Research Methods - Experimental Methods

Lab Experiments

• IV is delibrately manipulated
• Artificial environment >> experimenter has full control
• This means we can see whether our manipulation of the IV is Causing the effect seen on the DV >> we can draw conclusions about cause and effect when using lab exps

Examples:

• Milgram's study into obdience
• Asch's study into majority influence 
• Loftus' study into the effect of misleading info on EWTs

Evaluation:

• High control over Vs - majority of EVs can be controlled >> experimenter can establish C & E.    
• Easy to replicate - lab exps tend to follow easily repeated procedures. This means exp can be replicated to discover if results are consistent thus increasing reliability
• Lack eco val - 'artificial' environment >> Ps may not act naturally >> difficult to generalise to real life settings.
• Demand characteristics - Occur when Ps try to make sense of a situation they are in and act accordingly >> may lack val

Field Experiments

• IV is generally deliberately manipulated
• Usual environment of the Ps (eg school, workplace) >> increases realism
• Some control over EVs although less than a lab exp bc of the natural setting

Examples:

• Hofling's study into obedience to…