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In social psychology you will have learned about one of the following contemporary studies in detail: - Burger (2009) - Reicher and Haslam (2006) - Cohrs et al - AQA - A-Level Psychology - Question 4 - 2020 - Paper 1
Question 4
In social psychology you will have learned about one of the following contemporary studies in detail: - Burger (2009) - Reicher and Haslam (2006) - Cohrs et al. (20... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:In social psychology you will have learned about one of the following contemporary studies in detail: - Burger (2009) - Reicher and Haslam (2006) - Cohrs et al - AQA - A-Level Psychology - Question 4 - 2020 - Paper 1
Step 1
Evaluate Burger (2009) in terms of reliability
Answer
Burger (2009) used standardized verbal prods such as 'please continue,' which helped maintain consistency across participants. This consistency allows for the replication of the procedure in future studies, thus supporting the reliability of the findings. Additionally, the controlled laboratory setting, with specific equipment like the shock generator and intercom, minimizes extraneous variables, further enhancing the study's reliability. Furthermore, the sample size of 70 participants, comprising diverse age ranges and genders, bolsters the reliability by allowing broad generalizations.
Step 2
Evaluate Burger (2009) in terms of validity
Answer
The ecological validity of Burger's study is a point of critique, as the laboratory setting may not accurately reflect real-life situations where authority influences behavior. While the study aimed to recreate Milgram's original experiment, the laboratory conditions can lead to skepticism about whether participants would behave the same way in everyday circumstances. However, the findings do achieve construct validity concerning obedience to authority, as evidenced by the task's design whereby participants were shown not to favor electrocution when informed of potential harm. Furthermore, the use of a diverse sample also increases external validity by representing a wider range of the population, making the findings more applicable to the general public.