A Level Psychology OCR Practice Exam

What type of experiment was conducted by Bocchiaro et al.?

1. Field experiment

2. Naturalistic observation

3. Laboratory experiment

4. Longitudinal study

The correct answer is: Laboratory experiment

The study conducted by Bocchiaro et al. is classified as a laboratory experiment because it took place in a controlled environment where variables could be manipulated and measured systematically. In their research, participants were asked to engage in a task that involved ethical considerations and were subsequently assessed on their behavior regarding obedience and whistleblowing. The laboratory setting allowed the researchers to establish cause-and-effect relationships while maintaining a level of control over extraneous variables, which is a hallmark of laboratory experiments. This design was crucial for investigating the psychological constructs related to authority and moral choice in an experimental context.