Field Experiments in Psychology

The video discusses field experiments in psychology, highlighting Hoffling's study on obedience, Fisher's cognitive interview research, and Piliavin's bystander effect study. Field experiments are conducted in real-world settings, offering high ecological validity and less demand characteristics. However, they present challenges like less control and potential ethical issues. The video also differentiates field experiments from naturalistic observation.

What distinguishes field experiments from laboratory experiments?

• They do not involve any manipulation of variables.

• They are always conducted in a hospital setting.

• They are conducted in a controlled environment.

• They involve manipulating variables in a real-world setting.

Why might researchers choose to conduct a field experiment instead of a laboratory experiment?

• To ensure complete control over all variables.

• To test research questions that cannot be addressed in a lab.

• To reduce the number of participants needed.

• To avoid ethical considerations.

What was the outcome of Fisher and Geiselman's field experiment with police officers?

• Officers without training obtained more information.

• Officers with cognitive training obtained over 60% more information.

• There was no difference in information obtained.

• Officers with cognitive training obtained less information.

What is one of the main strengths of field experiments?

• They are less time-consuming.

• They have high ecological validity.

• They are easier to set up than lab experiments.

• They always involve informed consent.

How do field experiments help in checking the external validity of laboratory experiments?

• By ensuring all variables are controlled.

• By observing reactions in real-world situations.

• By reducing the number of participants.

• By eliminating ethical concerns.

What is a potential limitation of field experiments?

• They provide too much control over variables.

• They are always unethical.

• They can be affected by confounding variables.

• They are less valid than lab experiments.

What ethical issue was present in Hoffling's study?

• Participants were not affected by the experiment.

• Participants were aware of the experiment.

• Participants were deceived and did not give informed consent.

• Participants were fully informed.