A Level Psychology OCR Practice Exam

What type of experimental design did Gibson and Walk use in their research?

1. Cross-sectional design

2. Longitudinal design

3. Repeated measures design

4. Case study design

The correct answer is: Repeated measures design

Gibson and Walk conducted their research using a repeated measures design, which is characterized by the same subjects being tested under different conditions or at multiple points in time. This design allows for comparisons within the same group, enhancing the reliability of findings due to individual differences being controlled. In their study, Gibson and Walk aimed to investigate depth perception using the visual cliff experiment with infants. By employing a repeated measures design, they were able to observe how the same infants reacted to the visual cliff at different stages of their development. This approach provided insights into the developmental aspects of depth perception while minimizing variability caused by differences between groups. Other designs, such as cross-sectional or longitudinal, involve different groups or the same group over extended periods, which was not the focus of Gibson and Walk's methodology. A case study design typically focuses on an in-depth exploration of a single individual or small group, which does not align with the broader comparative analysis that a repeated measures design offers. Thus, the use of repeated measures was crucial for their experimental findings.