A Level Psychology OCR Practice Exam

Which of the following critiques might be leveled against Chaney et al's findings because of societal variations?

1. Demand characteristics

2. Ethnocentrism

3. Lab experiment limitations

4. Observer bias

The correct answer is: Ethnocentrism

The critique of ethnocentrism is particularly relevant to Chaney et al.'s findings because it addresses the issue of applying research conducted in one cultural context to others without considering the differences in societal values, norms, and practices. Chaney's study, which examined the effectiveness of the Funhaler, was conducted in Australia. When findings from this study are generalized to populations in different cultural or societal settings, there is potential for misinterpretation. What is effective in one environment may not replicate the same outcomes in another due to differing attitudes toward health, parenting styles, or socioeconomic factors. Therefore, recognizing the limitations of generalizing findings across diverse societal contexts is critical to understanding the applicability of the study's results. In contrast, while demand characteristics refer to participants possibly altering their behavior to conform to what they perceive as expectations of the study, this critique is less about societal variations specifically. Similarly, the limitations of lab experiments focus on the artificiality of the setting rather than societal influences, and observer bias pertains to the subjective influence of the researcher, rather than the broader cultural implications.