Experimental Research Methods in Psychology, DVD

Part of the Series : Understanding Psychology


Drawing upon laboratory and field experiments, this program compares and contrasts experimental research methods through an attractiveness study involving young adults. Section one observes how subjects respond to photos in two lab environments—one comfortable, and one not. Then, section two repeats the experiment in two field locales: a trendy bar and a dull coffee shop. Does context make a difference to the outcomes? The program concludes with a third section, in which experts explore some of the issues common to both experimental methods: demand characteristics, ethical concerns, and reductionism. A part of the series Understanding Psychology. (28 minutes)

Length: 29 minutes

ORDER CODE: BVL40123

ISBN: 978-1-60825-471-2

Copyright date: ©2004

Closed Captioned

Contents

Psychology: Experiments and Research Design (04:07)
An experiment is a controlled test of a hypothesis. Independent variables are manipulated under controlled conditions to see if there is a change in the dependent variable. Proper research design is critical to reliable results.

Experimental Research: Laboratory Experiment (03:45)
The independent subjects' design means that subjects in each group do the experiment in very different conditions. The experiment takes place in a laboratory with controlled conditions. Results are usually reliable and the tests are less expensive.

Research Design: Field Experiments (04:00)
Lack of ecological validity is a disadvantage of laboratory experiments. Field experiments take place in the real world.

Laboratory vs. Field Experiments (03:46)
An advantage of field experiments is a richer range of data--more than is likely obtained in a laboratory experiment. However, field experiments are often beset by "confounding variables" that experimenters cannot control.

Common Issues of Experimental Methods (05:56)
There are certain common problems in all experimental designs. One of the most important is called "demand characteristics," a phenomenon in which subjects try to please the experimenters.

Advice to Student Experimenters (05:17)
Experiments will remain central to the psychologist's toolkit. Examiners look for three things when testing psychological experimenters: use of the correct terms, precision, and logic. Students learn about sources of error and bias.