A Level Psychology OCR Practice Exam

Which characteristic of Baron-Cohen et al.'s study contributed to the validity of the results?

1. Different cultural backgrounds of participants

2. Use of matched controls for comparison

3. Longitudinal design of the study

4. Focus on qualitative data

The correct answer is: Use of matched controls for comparison

The use of matched controls for comparison significantly contributed to the validity of Baron-Cohen et al.'s study. By employing matched controls, the researchers ensured that the participants in both the experimental and control groups were similar in key aspects, such as age, IQ, and gender. This matching minimizes the impact of confounding variables that could otherwise skew the results and provide a clearer link between the variables being studied. Consequently, this approach enhances the internal validity of the study, allowing for more confident conclusions about any differences observed between the groups related to the specific cognitive traits being investigated. In contrast, while different cultural backgrounds might introduce variability, it can also complicate the interpretation of results. A longitudinal design is typically beneficial for looking at changes over time, but it does not directly address the comparative validity in a study like this, which is primarily concerned with specific cognitive traits at a single point in time. Lastly, a focus on qualitative data might offer rich insights but does not inherently validate the results in the same way that matched controls do, as qualitative data can be more subjective and less generalizable.