A Level Psychology OCR Practice Exam

Which of the following is a similarity between Loftus and Palmer (1973) and Grant et al (1998)?

1. Both studies used qualitative data

2. Both studies included a control group

3. Both were conducted as highly controlled lab experiments

4. Both had a mixed-gender sampling method

The correct answer is: Both were conducted as highly controlled lab experiments

The choice asserting that both studies were conducted as highly controlled lab experiments is accurate because both Loftus and Palmer (1973) and Grant et al. (1998) employed rigorous experimental designs to manipulate variables and measure effects in a controlled setting. Loftus and Palmer investigated the effects of leading questions on eyewitness memory, utilizing a lab experiment to manipulate the wording of questions presented to participants after they viewed a film of a car accident. This control allowed them to establish cause-and-effect relationships regarding how different phrasing impacted participants' recollections of speed. Similarly, Grant et al. examined the effects of noise on the recall of information using a controlled lab environment to ensure that distractions and other variables could be managed. Their setup included controlled conditions under which participants could study and recall information, allowing for comparison across different noise conditions. This controlled methodology in both studies contributes to the reliability and validity of their findings, as it minimizes confounding variables that could affect the results. Thus, the emphasis on controlled lab settings highlights a key similarity in their research approaches.