A Level Psychology OCR Practice Exam

What was concluded about the construct validity in Levine et al.'s research as compared to Piliavin et al.?

1. Piliavin's had higher reliability

2. Participants could leave the study in Levine et al.'s

3. Both studies had low ecological validity

4. There were no significant differences in construct validity

The correct answer is: Participants could leave the study in Levine et al.'s

The conclusion drawn about construct validity in Levine et al.'s research in comparison to Piliavin et al. emphasizes the aspect of participants' ability to leave the study. In Levine et al.'s work, participants were not confined to a set environment or condition, allowing for a more natural interaction during the data collection process. This flexibility contributes positively to the construct validity as it mirrors real-life situations where individuals have the option to engage or disengage. In contrast, Piliavin et al.'s study had a more controlled setting where participants were less able to leave, which could influence their behavior and responses, possibly affecting the interpretation of helping behavior. By incorporating a design that allowed participants the freedom to choose whether to participate or not, Levine et al. enhanced the realism of their study, thereby supporting stronger construct validity. Overall, the ability of participants to leave the study in Levine et al.’s research is important because it reflects a more nuanced understanding of social behavior in a real-world context, strengthening the validity of the conclusions drawn regarding the helping behavior observed.