A level Psychology research Method

🧪 Lab Experiments

Conducted in a laboratory where the researcher controls all environmental factors (noise, temperature, instructions).

Independent Variable (IV): the only factor deliberately varied between conditions.

Dependent Variable (DV): the outcome measured to see the effect of the IV.

Internal Validity – The degree to which observed effects can be attributed to the manipulation of the IV rather than to other factors.

Strengths

Strength

Reason

High internal validity

All other variables are held constant, allowing clear cause‑and‑effect inference.

High replicability

Standardized procedures can be reproduced by other researchers.

Weaknesses

Weakness

Reason

Low external (ecological) validity

Laboratory settings are artificial; behavior may not generalize to real‑world contexts.

Poor mundane realism

Tasks are often unlike everyday activities.

Susceptible to demand characteristics

Participants know they are in a study and may alter behavior to meet perceived expectations.