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Zoë investigated the use of operant conditioning in training two different animals - AQA - A-Level Psychology - Question 11 - 2021 - Paper 1
Question 11
Zoë investigated the use of operant conditioning in training two different animals. She trained squirrels and mice to successfully complete a maze that she had desig... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Zoë investigated the use of operant conditioning in training two different animals - AQA - A-Level Psychology - Question 11 - 2021 - Paper 1
Step 1
Using the Scientific Procedures Act (1986), state two considerations Zoë would have made for her research with squirrels and mice.
Answer
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Humane Treatment: Zoë would have ensured to minimize pain and distress to the squirrels and mice, following ethical guidelines to treat the animals humanely throughout the research.
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Informed Procedures: She might have been required to obtain appropriate licenses and approvals to conduct research on the animals, ensuring all procedures adhere to legal and ethical standards.
Step 2
State a fully operationalised directional (one-tailed) experimental hypothesis for Zoë’s investigation.
Answer
Zoë’s investigation will find that squirrels will complete the maze in a shorter time than mice when both are given positive reinforcement, as measured by the time taken to reach the end of the maze.
Step 3
Explain one strength of Zoë’s research in terms of reliability.
Answer
One strength of Zoë’s research in terms of reliability is that it can be easily replicated. If she uses standardized procedures, such as the same maze and reinforcement method, other researchers can repeat the study to verify or challenge her findings. This consistency can enhance the credibility of her results.
Step 4
Explain one improvement that could be made to Zoë’s investigation in terms of validity.
Answer
One improvement could be to increase the sample size of both squirrels and mice. By including a larger and more representative sample, Zoë can enhance the internal validity of her investigation and reduce the impact of any outliers or anomalies in the data.