Wilson and Kelling Question B

What is Ecological Validity?

Whether the results can be generalised to other settings outside the experiment

What is Internal Validity?

Whether the method of measurement actually measures what it claims to measure

Example of Ecological Validity

Zimbardo used a field experiment and it was completely naturalistic; no demand characteristics

Example of Bad Internal Validity

Wilson and Kelling did not use an experimental method but instead used an observational method; No corroboration

What is Internal Reliability?

How consistently a method measures within itself and how standardised the procedure is

What is Inter-Observer Reliability?

Whether the observations of numerous observers are consistent

Example of Good Internal Reliability

Zimbardo's experiment has some standardisation

Example of Bad Internal Reliability

Due it being a field experiment and a naturalistic setting, Zimbardo doesn't have as much control

Example of Bad Inter-Observer Reliability

Data is difficult to assess in terms of reliability therefore there is a lack of knowledge of inter-observer reliability

What is Sampling Bias?

A systemic error created by using a sample that does not represent the population of interest

Examples of Sampling Bias

* Zimbardo used residents from the Bronx, New York and Palo Alto
* Wilson and Kelling's study was based on the Safe and Clean Neighbourhoods Program based in New Jersey

What is Ethnocentrism?

Being limited to the perspective to one country/culture and generalising results based off of results from one country/culture

Examples of Ethnocentrism

* Zero Tolerance Policing exists to deal with crime from a Western/Individualist perspective
* Newman's defensible space research and Wilson and Kelling's observations were only in northern America
* HOWEVER Newman's research primarily consisted of housing features, that could apply to other cultures too

Why is it Useful?

* Social benefits it brings to neighbourhoods
* Highlights the importance of the role of the police have in crime reduction