Question 1: Define the term 'independent variable' in the context of an experiment.

Answer: The independent variable is the variable that the researcher manipulates or changes to observe its effect on the dependent variable.

Question 2: Describe a typical procedure for conducting a laboratory experiment in Psychology.

Answer: A laboratory experiment involves controlling extraneous variables, randomly assigning participants to different conditions, manipulating the independent variable, measuring the dependent variable, and ensuring standardized procedures.

Question 3: Explain the purpose of a control group in an experiment.

Answer: A control group is used as a baseline to compare against the experimental group, helping to isolate the effect of the independent variable by eliminating other influences.

Question 4: Identify two advantages and two disadvantages of conducting experiments in a controlled laboratory setting.

Answer: Advantages: 1) High control over variables, allowing for cause-and-effect conclusions. 2) Replicability of the study. Disadvantages: 1) Artificial environment may reduce ecological validity. 2) Participants may behave differently because they know they are being studied.

Question 5: A researcher wants to test if sleep deprivation affects memory recall. Outline an experimental method they could use.

Answer: The researcher could randomly assign participants to two groups: one that is sleep-deprived for a certain period and one that has normal sleep. Then, both groups would complete a memory test, and the researcher would compare the results.

Question 6: What is random allocation, and why is it important in experimental research?

Answer: Random allocation is the process of assigning participants to different groups randomly, which helps to reduce bias and ensure that groups are comparable at the start of the experiment.

Question 7: Explain the difference between a laboratory experiment and a field experiment.

Answer: A laboratory experiment is conducted in a controlled environment where variables can be carefully manipulated, while a field experiment takes place in a natural setting, with less control over extraneous variables.

Question 8: Draw a simple diagram of an experimental setup showing a participant, a researcher, and the manipulation of the independent variable. Label each part clearly.

Answer: A correct sketch would depict a participant seated in front of a computer or task, with the researcher nearby adjusting or controlling the independent variable (e.g., a stimulus). Labels should identify the participant, researcher, and the independent variable being manipulated.

Question 9: Identify and explain one potential ethical issue that can arise in experimental research involving human participants.

Answer: One ethical issue is the possibility of causing psychological harm or distress to participants. Researchers must ensure informed consent and debrief participants afterwards.

Question 10: A researcher conducts an experiment but forgets to randomly assign participants to conditions. What type of bias could this introduce, and how might it affect the results?

Answer: This could introduce selection bias, which may lead to unequal groups that differ in important ways, potentially affecting the validity of the results.