Quasi-experiments

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Created by
Shalini

Cards (8)

  • What are 'difference studies'?
    Considers comparisons based on a 'variable' that differs between individuals. It's a characteristic of an individual that cannot be manipulated. Type of quasi experiment. E.g, comparing right-handed people to left-handed people.
  • What is a 'natural' experiment?
    When something has happened to the participants to make the groups different/the groups did something different of their own accord. Type of quasi experiment. E.g, victims of a crime vs not victims of a crime, or people who play violent video games vs those who don't.
  • What is a quasi-experiment?

    IV not under control of experimenter. Used when manipulation of the IV would be impractical/impossible or unethical or based on a naturally occurring event.
  • Charlton et al (2000):

    Before 1995 people living on St Helena had no TV. Arrival of TV gave researchers chance to see how exposure to Western programmes may influence behaviour. No difference in pro or anti-social behaviour after introduction. IV= no TV & later exposure to TV
  • Sheridan & King (1972):

    Tested obedience by asking male participants to give genuine electric shocks of increasing advantage to puppy. 54% males delivered maximum (non-fatal) shock, but obedience rate for females was 100%. IV= gender
  • Why can't causal conclusions be drawn (manipulation of IV)?

    Lack of control over IV- can't say for certain change in DV caused by IV. E.g, uncontrolled confounding variables.
  • Why can't causal conclusions be drawn (random allocation)?

    Participants can't be randomly allocated to conditions so may be biases in the different groups. Uncontrolled confounding variables.
  • Why can't causal conclusions be drawn (unique characteristics)?

    Sample may have unique characteristics. E.g, in St Helena study, people were part of helpful & pro-social community (may explain why violence on TV didn't affect their behaviour, whereas in other studies, advent of TV did have effect). Findings can't be generalised to other groups of people (low population validity).