The experiment in psychology Crash Course Lesson 2

How will I run my experiment? Experimental Design How will I run my experiment?

Most simple experiments involve 2 conditions – these are 2 versions of the independent variable. e.g. Using words or pictures to learn a list of items. Condition 1 Words Condition 2 Pictures

Independent measures design Repeated measures design There are 3 different ways to carry out the experiment with participants. These are known as Experimental Designs. Hmmm…... Independent measures design Repeated measures design Matched pairs design

Independent Measures Design Participants only take part in one condition of the experiment (2 separate groups) Words Pictures

Repeated Measures Design Participants take part in both conditions of the experiment (1 group) Words Pictures

Matched Pairs Design Participants are matched in each condition for characteristics that may have an effect on their performance. e.g. A memory test 2 1 2 1 1 2 2 1 1 2

Each design has Strengths Weaknesses

The colour pink is so awesome... Key things to think about are Individual Differences The colour pink is so awesome... I’m cleverer than her!

They think I’ll remember pictures better than words Demand Characteristics are the cues which might reveal your aim Cat Dog House I got bored the second time … Order Effects are caused by repeated tests

Order effects are situational variables Can you name any others?