Exploring laboratory experiments in psychology, this overview highlights their role in empirical research, focusing on the manipulation of variables to establish causality. It discusses the importance of control for internal validity, classic experiments by Asch, Milgram, and Loftus, and the balance between methodological strengths and ecological validity concerns.
Show More
Laboratory experiments involve the deliberate manipulation of an independent variable to assess its impact on a dependent variable
Control of Extraneous Factors
Researchers meticulously manage the experimental environment and variables to curtail the sway of extraneous factors that could skew the results
Standardized Procedures for Reliability and Replicability
Standardized procedures are rigorously applied to ensure uniformity in how the experiment is conducted across different participants, enhancing reliability and replicability
Seminal laboratory experiments, such as Asch's conformity experiments and Milgram's obedience to authority studies, exemplify the use of controlled experimental designs
Laboratory experiments in cognitive psychology explore the effects of various factors on mental processes and observable behaviors
Researchers meticulously control for potential confounds to isolate the specific impact of the variable being studied
The high degree of control and standardization in laboratory experiments allows for the establishment of causal links with greater certainty
The artificiality of the laboratory setting may limit the generalizability of the results to real-world contexts
Participants may alter their behavior in response to cues about the experiment's purpose, potentially undermining the authenticity of the data
Researchers must carefully design experiments and account for limitations, such as ecological validity and demand characteristics, to leverage laboratory experiments effectively
00
In psychology, lab experiments aim to understand the ______ between variables by manipulating the ______ variable and measuring the ______ variable.
cause-and-effect relationships
independent
dependent
01
The ______ variable is altered or controlled in a lab experiment to observe its effects on the ______, which is the result that's measured.
independent
dependent variable
02
Importance of high internal validity
Ensures observed effects on DV are due to IV manipulation, not extraneous variables.
