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Lab Experiment

What do you think of when you hear the word "laboratory"? Do you picture people in white coats and goggles and gloves standing over a table with beakers and tubes? Well, that picture is pretty close to reality in some cases. In others, laboratory experiments, especially in psychology, focus more on observing behaviours in highly controlled settings to establish causal conclusions. Let's explore lab experiments further. 

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What do you think of when you hear the word "laboratory"? Do you picture people in white coats and goggles and gloves standing over a table with beakers and tubes? Well, that picture is pretty close to reality in some cases. In others, laboratory experiments, especially in psychology, focus more on observing behaviours in highly controlled settings to establish causal conclusions. Let's explore lab experiments further.

  • We are going to delve into the topic of lab experiments in the context of psychology.
  • We will start by looking at the lab experiment definition and how lab experiments are used in psychology.
  • Moving on from this, we will look at how lab experiment examples in psychology and cognitive lab experiments may be conducted.
  • And to finish off, we will also explore the strengths and weaknesses of lab experiments.

Lab Experiment Psychology Definition

You can probably guess from the name that lab experiments occur in lab settings. Although this is not always the case, they can sometimes occur in other controlled environments. The purpose of lab experiments is to identify the cause and effect of a phenomenon through experimentation.

A lab experiment is an experiment that uses a carefully controlled setting and standardised procedure to accurately measure how changes in the independent variable (IV; variable that changes) affects the dependent variable (DV; variable measured).

In lab experiments, the IV is what the researcher predicts as the cause of a phenomenon, and the dependent variable is what the researcher predicts as the effect of a phenomenon.

Lab Experiment: Psychology

Lab experiments in psychology are used when trying to establish causal relationships between Variables. For example, a researcher would use a lab experiment if they were investigating how sleep affects memory recall.

The majority of psychologists think of psychology as a form of science. Therefore, they argue that the protocol used in psychological research should resemble those used in the natural sciences. For research to be established as scientific, three essential features should be considered:

  1. Empiricism - the findings should be observable via the five senses.
  2. Reliability - if the study was replicated, similar results should be found.
  3. Validity - the investigation should accurately measure what it intends to.

But do lab experiments fulfil these requirements of natural sciences research? If done correctly, then yes. Lab experiments are empirical as they involve the researcher observing changes occurring in the DV. Reliability is established by using a standardised procedure in lab experiments.

A standardised procedure is a protocol that states how the experiment will be carried out. This allows the researcher to ensure the same protocol is used for each participant, increasing the study's internal reliability.

Standardised procedures are also used to help other researchers replicate the study to identify if they measure similar results.

Dissimilar results reflect low reliability.

Validity is another feature of a lab experiment considered. Lab experiments are conducted in a carefully controlled setting where the researcher has the most control compared to other experiments to prevent extraneous Variables from affecting the DV.

Extraneous variables are factors other than the IV that affect the DV; as these are variables that the researcher is not interested in investigating, these reduce the validity of the research.

There are issues of validity in lab experiments, which we'll get into a bit later!

Lab Experiment, illustration of a woman in front of a microscope in a white coat, VaiaFig. 1 - Lab experiments are conducted in carefully controlled environments.

Lab Experiment Examples: Asch's Conformity Study

The Asch (1951) Conformity study is an example of a lab experiment. The investigation aimed to identify if the presence and influence of others would pressure participants to change their response to a straightforward question. Participants were given two pieces of paper, one depicting a 'target line' and another three, one of which resembled the 'target line' and the others of different lengths.

The participants were put in groups of eight. Unknown to the participants, the other seven were confederates (participants who were secretly part of the research team) who were instructed to give the wrong answer. If the actual participant changed their answer in response, this would be an example of Conformity.

Asch controlled the location where the investigation took place, constructed a contrived scenario and even controlled the confederates who would affect the behaviour of the actual participants to measure the DV.

Some other famous examples of research that are lab experiment examples include research conducted by Milgram (the obedience study) and Loftus and Palmer's eyewitness testimony accuracy study. These researchers likely used this method because of some of their strengths, e.g., their high level of control.

Lab Experiment Examples: Cognitive Lab Experiments

Let's look at what a cognitive lab experiment may entail. Suppose a researcher is interested in investigating how sleep affects memory scores using the MMSE test. In the theoretical study, an equal number of participants were randomly allocated into two groups; sleep-deprived versus well-rested. Both groups completed the memory test after a whole night of sleep or staying awake all night.

In this research scenario, the DV can be identified as memory test scores and the IV as whether participants were sleep-deprived or well-rested.

Some examples of extraneous variables the study controlled include researchers ensuring participants did not fall asleep, the participants took the test at the same time, and participants in the well-rested group slept for the same time.

Lab Experiment Advantages and Disadvantages

It's important to consider the advantages and disadvantages of laboratory experiments. Advantages include the highly controlled setting of lab experiments, the standardised procedures and causal conclusions that can be drawn. Disadvantages include the low ecological validity of lab experiments and demand characteristics participants may present.

Lab Experiment, illustration of laboratory vials and books on a desk, VaiaFig. 2 - Lab experiments have advantages and disadvantages.

Strengths of Lab Experiments: Highly Controlled

Laboratory experiments are conducted in a well-controlled setting. All the variables, including extraneous and confounding variables, are rigidly controlled in the investigation. Therefore, the risk of experimental findings being affected by extraneous or confounding variables is reduced. As a result, the well-controlled design of laboratory experiments implies the research has high internal validity.

Internal validity means the study uses measures and protocols that measure exactly what it intends to, i.e. how only the changes in the IV affect the DV.

Strengths of Lab Experiments: Standardised Procedures

Laboratory experiments have standardised procedures, which means the experiments are replicable, and all participants are tested under the same conditions. Therefore, standardised procedures allow others to replicate the study to identify whether the research is reliable and that the findings are not a one-off result. As a result, the replicability of laboratory experiments allows researchers to verify the study's reliability.

Strengths of Lab Experiments: Causal Conclusions

A well-designed laboratory experiment can draw causal conclusions. Ideally, a laboratory experiment can rigidly control all the variables, including extraneous and confounding variables. Therefore, laboratory experiments provide great confidence to researchers that the IV causes any observed changes in DV.

Weaknesses of Lab Experiments

In the following, we will present the disadvantages of laboratory experiments. This discusses ecological validity and demand characteristics.

Weaknesses of Lab Experiments: Low Ecological Validity

Laboratory experiments have low ecological validity because they are conducted in an artificial study that does not reflect a real-life setting. As a result, findings generated in laboratory experiments can be difficult to generalise to real life due to the low mundane realism. Mundane realism reflects the extent to which lab experiment materials are similar to real-life events.

Weaknesses of Lab Experiments: Demand Characteristics

A disadvantage of laboratory experiments is that the research setting may lead to demand characteristics.

Demand characteristics are the cues that make participants aware of what the experimenter expects to find or how participants are expected to behave.

The participants are aware they are involved in an experiment. So, participants may have some ideas of what is expected of them in the investigation, which may influence their behaviours. As a result, the demand characteristics presented in laboratory experiments can arguably change the research outcome, reducing the findings' validity.


Lab Experiment - Key takeaways

  • The lab experiment definition is an experiment that uses a carefully controlled setting and standardised procedure to establish how changes in the independent variable (IV; variable that changes) affect the dependent variable (DV; variable measured).

  • Psychologists aim to ensure that lab experiments are scientific and must be empirical, reliable and valid.

  • The Asch (1951) conformity study is an example of a lab experiment. The investigation aimed to identify if the presence and influence of others would pressure participants to change their response to a straightforward question.

  • The advantages of lab experiments are high internal validity, standardised procedures and the ability to draw causal conclusions.

  • The disadvantages of lab experiments are low ecological validity and demand characteristics.

Frequently Asked Questions about Lab Experiment

A lab experiment is an experiment that uses a carefully controlled setting and standardised procedure to establish how changes in the independent variable (IV; variable that changes) affects the dependent variable (DV; variable measured).

Lab experiments investigate cause-and-effect. They aim to determine the effect of changes in the independent variable on the dependent variable. 

A field experiment is an experiment conducted in a natural, everyday setting. The experimenter still controls the IV; however, extraneous and confounding variables may be difficult to control due to the natural setting.


Similar, to filed experiments researchers, can control the IV and extraneous variables. However, this takes place in an artificial setting such as a lab. 

A psychologist may use a lab experiment when trying to establish the causal relationships between variables to explain a phenomenon. 

Lab experience allows researchers to scientifically determine whether a hypothesis/ theory should be accepted or rejected. 

The research conducted by Loftus and Palmer (accuracy of eyewitness testimony) and Milgram (obedience) used a lab experiment design. These experimental designs give the researcher high control, allowing them to control extraneous and independent variables.

Final Lab Experiment Quiz

Lab Experiment Quiz - Teste dein Wissen

Question

What is a laboratory experiment?

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Answer

A laboratory experiment is an experiment conducted in a highly controlled environment. 

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Question

Why are laboratory experiments criticised for having demand characteristics?

Show answer

Answer

The participants may be aware of the experiment’s aims and how the researcher expects them to act, which may influence their behaviours.

Show question

Question

Why are laboratory experiments criticised for having low ecological validity?


Show answer

Answer

Laboratory experiments have low ecological validity as contrived or artificial materials are employed.

Show question

Question

What are the advantages of laboratory experiments?


Show answer

Answer

Laboratory experiments are conducted in a well-controlled setting, which implies good internal validity, standardised procedures and the ability to draw causal conclusions.

Show question

Question

What is a field experiment?


Show answer

Answer

A field experiment is an experiment conducted in a natural, everyday setting. 

Show question

Question

What are the advantages of a field experiment?


Show answer

Answer

Field experiments have high mundane realism and reduced demand characteristics which implies good external validity.

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Question

Why are field experiments criticised for having low internal validity and reliability?


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Answer

Field experiments are conducted in a less controlled setting which may not have standardised procedures, implying the risk of low internal validity and reliability.

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Question

Why are field experiments criticised for having ethical issues?


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Answer

Field experiments may not ask for participants informed consent before the study, leading to ethical issues.

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Question

Are lab experiments necessarily carried out in the laboratory?


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Answer

No, a lab experiment does not necessarily need to be conducted in a laboratory. Any well-controlled setting is fine.

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What are the differences between lab and field experiments?


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Answer

Extraneous and confounding variables are well-controlled in lab experiments compared to field experiments. Lab experiments are in an artificial setting and field experiments in a natural setting.

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Question

Are lab experiments easy to replicate? 

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Yes.

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True or false: Participants are aware that they are taking part in the lab experiment and sometimes may not know the aim of the investigation.

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Answer

True

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Question

What is the advantage of conducting lab experiments in a controlled setting? 

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Answer

Can prevent confounding/ extraneous variables from influencing the results.

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Question

Lab experiments have high         validity.

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internal 

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Question

Standardised procedures make it easier for other researchers to          research.

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replicate

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Why may other researchers replicate a previous study? 

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Answer

To establish its reliability.

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Lab experiments are used to establish       relationships.

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causal

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The aim of lab experiments is to identify if observed changes in the      are caused by the      .

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DV, IV.

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Is it difficult to generalise results from lab experiments to real-life settings? 

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True.

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Question

In lab experiments, if participants are aware they are being investigated, it can lead to ...

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demand characteristics.

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Demand characteristics lower the         of the research.

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validity

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True or false: there is more likelihood of demand characteristics influencing lab experiments than field experiments.

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Answer

True.

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Question

A researcher wanted to explore how driving conditions affected speeding. Which type of experimental method is the researcher more likely to use? 

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Answer

Field.

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A researcher wanted to explore if sleep deprivation affected cognitive abilities. Which type of experimental method is the researcher more likely to use? 

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Answer

Lab experiment.

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What is mundane realism? 

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Answer

The extent to which materials in a lab experiment are similar to events in real life.

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Test your knowledge with multiple choice flashcards

Are lab experiments easy to replicate? 

True or false: Participants are aware that they are taking part in the lab experiment and sometimes may not know the aim of the investigation.

The aim of lab experiments is to identify if observed changes in the      are caused by the      .

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Flashcards in Lab Experiment25

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What is a laboratory experiment?

A laboratory experiment is an experiment conducted in a highly controlled environment. 

Why are laboratory experiments criticised for having demand characteristics?

The participants may be aware of the experiment’s aims and how the researcher expects them to act, which may influence their behaviours.

Why are laboratory experiments criticised for having low ecological validity?


Laboratory experiments have low ecological validity as contrived or artificial materials are employed.

What are the advantages of laboratory experiments?


Laboratory experiments are conducted in a well-controlled setting, which implies good internal validity, standardised procedures and the ability to draw causal conclusions.

What is a field experiment?


A field experiment is an experiment conducted in a natural, everyday setting. 

What are the advantages of a field experiment?


Field experiments have high mundane realism and reduced demand characteristics which implies good external validity.

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