A Level Psychology OCR Practice Exam

What is one advantage of laboratory experiments highlighted in psychology?

1. They promote natural behavior

2. They offer greater external validity

3. They allow for greater control and standardization

4. They typically involve larger sample sizes

The correct answer is: They allow for greater control and standardization

Choosing the option that highlights the advantage of laboratory experiments in psychology is correct. Laboratory experiments are designed to provide researchers with a controlled environment where they can manipulate variables systematically. This control allows for a high level of standardization, meaning that the exact same procedures can be replicated across trials and for different subjects. This is crucial in psychological research, as it helps in accurately determining cause-and-effect relationships by minimizing confounding variables. The other options do have their own merits but do not align with the strengths of laboratory experiments. Promoting natural behavior relates more to observational or field studies where individuals act in their customary environments. Greater external validity is often a characteristic of more naturalistic studies, where findings can be generalized across different settings. As for larger sample sizes, while they can provide more reliable data, laboratory experiments often do not hinge on sample size as a defining characteristic; the focus is primarily on the control of the experimental conditions.