A Level Psychology OCR Practice Exam

What does the term 'high generalisability' suggest about the Raine et al. study?

1. The results can be applied to a broader population

2. The results are only applicable to the study's specific sample

3. The findings lack relevance to real-world situations

4. The study used subjective measurements

The correct answer is: The results can be applied to a broader population

High generalisability indicates that the results obtained from a study can be applied to a wider population beyond the specific sample studied. In the context of the Raine et al. study, this means that the findings are believed to have implications for understanding the behavior or characteristics of a larger group, such as individuals with similar traits or circumstances as those studied. For example, if Raine et al. demonstrated a significant relationship between brain structure and violent behavior in their sample, high generalisability would imply that these findings might also apply to other populations, such as those exhibiting similar tendencies. This enhances the real-world applicability of the research, suggesting that it may inform broader psychological theories or interventions. In contrast, options that suggest the results apply only to the specific sample or lack relevance to real-world situations do not align with the concept of high generalisability. Similarly, attributing the strength of the findings to subjective measurements fails to capture the essence of generalisability, which relies on the robustness and reliability of the data collected.