A Level Psychology OCR Practice Exam

What is a potential weakness of Barkley-Levenson and Galvan’s study?

1. The sample size was large and diverse.

2. The research was conducted in a real-world environment.

3. The gambling task might encourage real-world gambling behavior.

4. Adolescents exhibited lower rates of risk-taking than expected.

The correct answer is: The gambling task might encourage real-world gambling behavior.

The potential weakness of Barkley-Levenson and Galvan’s study being identified as related to the gambling task instigating real-world gambling behavior is compelling due to the implications it has on the study's ecological validity. When research assesses behaviors in a controlled setting, like a gambling task, it is important to consider whether the behavior exhibited is reflective of actual behavior outside the lab. If the task is perceived as encouraging or simulating real gambling, participants may engage in it differently than they would in real life, which can confound the results. This possibility raises questions about the reliability and applicability of the findings, as it suggests that the observed risk-taking behavior could be influenced by the nature of the gambling task itself rather than being a pure measure of decision-making processes. Thus, while the study may provide insights into adolescent risk-taking, the connection to genuine gambling behavior complicates the interpretation of the data and the conclusions drawn from it. In contrast, a large and diverse sample size would typically strengthen the findings, as it allows for broader generalization. Conducting research in a real-world environment generally enhances ecological validity, and lower rates of risk-taking than anticipated would present a different line of inquiry, focusing on expectations rather than the concerns about the task itself