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12 Dec 2025

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Understanding Different Types of Experiments in Psychology

Understanding different types of experiments is crucial for psychology research... Show more

Research methods

TYPES OF EXPERIMENT

Paper 2

Laboratory experiments
- Experiments in highly controlled environments

Strengths
- High con

Laboratory Experiments

Laboratory experiments take place in highly controlled environments where researchers can manipulate variables precisely. Think of them as the "gold standard" for scientific control - everything from lighting to noise levels can be managed.

The main advantage is high internal validity because you can control extraneous variables that might mess up your results. This control also makes replication much easier, which is essential for proving your findings are reliable.

However, lab experiments often struggle with generalisability. The artificial setting might not reflect real life, and participants often behave differently when they know they're being studied - a bit like how you might act differently when you know someone's watching you.

Key Point: Lab experiments prioritise control over realism, making them perfect for establishing cause and effect relationships.

Research methods

TYPES OF EXPERIMENT

Paper 2

Laboratory experiments
- Experiments in highly controlled environments

Strengths
- High con

Field, Natural, and Quasi Experiments

Field experiments happen in natural settings but researchers still manipulate the independent variable. They offer more realistic behaviour since participants often don't realise they're being studied, leading to higher external validity.

Natural experiments occur when the independent variable changes naturally - like studying stress levels before and after a natural disaster. These provide excellent real-world validity but opportunities are limited since you can't create natural events on demand.

Quasi experiments work with variables that already exist, such as comparing memory in different age groups. Whilst they can be conducted under controlled conditions, you can't randomly allocate participants to conditions, which may introduce confounding variables.

Remember: The more natural the setting, the higher the external validity but the lower the control over variables.



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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

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Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

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David K

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The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

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In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

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I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

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THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

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Paul T

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Psychology

391

12 Dec 2025

2 pages

Understanding Different Types of Experiments in Psychology

Understanding different types of experiments is crucial for psychology research and your A-level exams. Each experimental method has unique strengths and limitations that determine when and how researchers use them to study human behaviour.

Research methods

TYPES OF EXPERIMENT

Paper 2

Laboratory experiments
- Experiments in highly controlled environments

Strengths
- High con

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Laboratory Experiments

Laboratory experiments take place in highly controlled environments where researchers can manipulate variables precisely. Think of them as the "gold standard" for scientific control - everything from lighting to noise levels can be managed.

The main advantage is high internal validity because you can control extraneous variables that might mess up your results. This control also makes replication much easier, which is essential for proving your findings are reliable.

However, lab experiments often struggle with generalisability. The artificial setting might not reflect real life, and participants often behave differently when they know they're being studied - a bit like how you might act differently when you know someone's watching you.

Key Point: Lab experiments prioritise control over realism, making them perfect for establishing cause and effect relationships.

Research methods

TYPES OF EXPERIMENT

Paper 2

Laboratory experiments
- Experiments in highly controlled environments

Strengths
- High con

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Field, Natural, and Quasi Experiments

Field experiments happen in natural settings but researchers still manipulate the independent variable. They offer more realistic behaviour since participants often don't realise they're being studied, leading to higher external validity.

Natural experiments occur when the independent variable changes naturally - like studying stress levels before and after a natural disaster. These provide excellent real-world validity but opportunities are limited since you can't create natural events on demand.

Quasi experiments work with variables that already exist, such as comparing memory in different age groups. Whilst they can be conducted under controlled conditions, you can't randomly allocate participants to conditions, which may introduce confounding variables.

Remember: The more natural the setting, the higher the external validity but the lower the control over variables.

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Most popular content in Psychology

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Students love us — and so will you.

4.9/5

App Store

4.8/5

Google Play

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user