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Types of experiments in psychology
There are three main types of experiments
Laboratory experiments
Field experiments
Natural experiments
Laboratory experiments
Most experimental studies done in the field of psychology are conducted in artificial
surroundings, such as a laboratory. Experiments conducted in this manner are called
laboratory experiments.
This is an artificial environment and allows researchers to control variables such as light
levels and surrounding noises.
Strengths Weaknesses
laboratory experiments lack external validity, the
The control conditions of lab experiments allow
artificial environment is not a natural setting
researchers to isolate variables ( you can precisely
therefore the results tell us very little about how
measure the exact effect of one thing on another)
the respondents would act in a active situation.
They are reductionist, human behaviour cannot
You can establish the cause and effect
be explained through simple cause and effect
relationships
relationships.
All procedures are kept at equal levels for every The participants may catch wind of the aim of the
group, This increases reliability. study therefore defeating the entire purpose of the
Types of experiments in psychology 1
Types of experiments in psychology
There are three main types of experiments
Laboratory experiments
Field experiments
Natural experiments
Laboratory experiments
Most experimental studies done in the field of psychology are conducted in artificial
surroundings, such as a laboratory. Experiments conducted in this manner are called
laboratory experiments.
This is an artificial environment and allows researchers to control variables such as light
levels and surrounding noises.
Strengths Weaknesses
laboratory experiments lack external validity, the
The control conditions of lab experiments allow
artificial environment is not a natural setting
researchers to isolate variables ( you can precisely
therefore the results tell us very little about how
measure the exact effect of one thing on another)
the respondents would act in a active situation.
They are reductionist, human behaviour cannot
You can establish the cause and effect
be explained through simple cause and effect
relationships
relationships.
All procedures are kept at equal levels for every The participants may catch wind of the aim of the
group, This increases reliability. study therefore defeating the entire purpose of the
Types of experiments in psychology 1
