experiment evaluation

• What is external validity?

  The applicability of study results to other contexts
• What does the Hawthorne effect refer to?

  Changing behavior when being observed
• What are demand characteristics in research?

  Cues that reveal the research purpose to participants
• What was the aim of Milgram's research?

  To study obedience to authority figures
• What inspired Milgram's research?

  The trial of Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann
• How did Milgram's research relate to the actions of Adolf Eichmann?

  It tested if ordinary people would obey unjust orders
• What conclusion did Milgram reach about American participants?

  They were willing to obey harmful orders
• What are the practical issues in psychological research?

  • Complexity of society affects behavior
  • Cannot study past events, only present
  • Small samples limit investigation of large phenomena
• What ethical issues arise in psychological research?

  • Lack of informed consent
  • Deception affecting behavior
  • Protection from harm
  • Right to withdraw
  • Vulnerable groups considerations
  • Importance of de-briefing
• What is a strength of Milgram's research regarding reliability?

  It allows precise replication of procedures
• Why is external validity considered low in lab studies?

  They may not reflect real-world situations
• What is the impact of the Hawthorne effect on research?

  It alters participant behavior due to observation
• How do demand characteristics affect research outcomes?

  They may lead participants to change behavior
• What is a limitation of lab experiments regarding representativeness?

  They often use small sample sizes
• What are the differences between positivist and interpretivist approaches in research?

  • Positivist: Favors lab experiments for reliability
  • Interpretivist: Prefers field experiments for validity
  • Positivist: Seeks to identify cause and effect
  • Interpretivist: Critiques lab experiments as artificial
• Why do positivists prefer laboratory experiments?

  They allow control over experimental conditions
• What do interpretivists argue about lab experiments?

  They produce unnatural results in artificial settings
• How do positivists and interpretivists differ in their goals?

  Positivists seek reliability, interpretivists seek validity
• What is the significance of manipulating variables in positivist research?

  It helps establish cause and effect relationships