A Level Psychology OCR Practice Exam

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $2.99 payment

Prepare for the A Level Psychology Exam with our quiz. Access flashcards, multiple choice questions, and detailed explanations to enhance your study experience and boost your confidence.

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.

Was the Sperry et al (1968) study a snapshot or longitudinal study?

Longitudinal study
Snapshot study
Case study
Cross-sectional study

The correct answer is: Snapshot study

The Sperry et al (1968) study is characterized as a snapshot study because it involved measuring and observing the effects of a split-brain operation in participants at one specific point in time, rather than across an extended period. In this research, the participants were assessed following their surgical procedures to determine how the severing of the corpus callosum affected their cognitive functioning and behavior. Since the study did not examine changes over time or involve repeated observations of participants, it fits the definition of a snapshot study, focusing on immediate findings related to the differences in hemispheric functions post-surgery. A longitudinal study would have required tracking the same individuals over a long period, monitoring changes in their behavior or cognitive abilities over time, which was not the design employed in this research. Case studies refer to in-depth examinations of individual cases rather than a broader analysis of a group at a single point in time. Cross-sectional studies involve comparing different groups at one point in time, which does not align with the approach of analyzing the individual outcomes of participants who underwent the procedure.