Examples of Famous ExperimentsExamples of Famous Experiments

What Can WE Learn from THEMWhat Can WE Learn from THEM? ? Where Did They Get Their Research Question?Where Did They Get Their Research Question?

ZimbardoZimbardo

AshAsh

MilgramMilgram

Examples – Famous Examples – Famous ExperimentsExperiments

Where Did They Get Their Research Question?Where Did They Get Their Research Question?

AshAsh

Research on ConformityResearch on Conformity

HolocaustHolocaust

MilgramMilgram

Research on Obedience To AuthorityResearch on Obedience To Authority

HolocaustHolocaust

ZimbardoZimbardo

Research on Social RolesResearch on Social Roles

HolocaustHolocaust

Examples of Famous Examples of Famous ExperimentsExperiments

Zimbardo’s ExperimentZimbardo’s Experiment– Quasi Field ExperimentQuasi Field Experiment– Examples - need for IRBExamples - need for IRB

Milgram’s ExperimentMilgram’s Experiment– Single Shot – One Shot DesignSingle Shot – One Shot Design– Intervention – Post Test Intervention – Post Test

X-----YX-----Y– Example – need for IRBExample – need for IRB

Ash’s ExperimentAsh’s Experiment– Classical DesignClassical Design– Pre-test -----Intervention-----Post-testPre-test -----Intervention-----Post-test

Y----X-----YY----X-----Y

Zimbardo’s Quasi Field Zimbardo’s Quasi Field ExperimentExperiment

Independent VariableIndependent Variable

Dependent VariableDependent Variable

Zimbardo’s Quasi Field Zimbardo’s Quasi Field ExperimentExperiment

Independent VariableIndependent Variable– Social Role - Position of PowerSocial Role - Position of Power

Dependent VariableDependent Variable– Behavior of ParticipantsBehavior of Participants

How does a person’s social role influence How does a person’s social role influence their behavior toward others??their behavior toward others??

ZimbardoZimbardoPrisoners Dilemma Prisoners Dilemma

Guards and Prisonners in Prison SettingGuards and Prisonners in Prison Setting Sample TechniqueSample Technique

Convenience SampleConvenience SampleRecruited 75 volunteersRecruited 75 volunteersSelected most stable 21Selected most stable 21

Random AssignmentRandom AssignmentDivided into Guards and Prisoners (11 and 10)Divided into Guards and Prisoners (11 and 10)

Data CollectionData CollectionQuasi or Field ExperimentQuasi or Field Experiment

Put respondents in simulated prison situationsPut respondents in simulated prison situationsTurned Guards loose for two weekTurned Guards loose for two weekObserved interactions Observed interactions

ZimbardoZimbardoPrisoners Dilemma Prisoners Dilemma

Guards and Prisoners in Prison SettingGuards and Prisoners in Prison Setting ResultsResults

1/3 Guards demanded degrading behavior1/3 Guards demanded degrading behavior 1/3 Guards were fair but tough1/3 Guards were fair but tough 1/3 Guards were kind – but didn’t help with other 1/3 Guards were kind – but didn’t help with other

guardsguards Initially Prisoner rebelledInitially Prisoner rebelled Prisoners became demoralizedPrisoners became demoralized Experiment was ended in 6 daysExperiment was ended in 6 days

Quasi Field ExperimentQuasi Field Experiment

Milgram’s ExperimentMilgram’s Experiment Independent VariableIndependent Variable

– Concept – Authority Figure’s PowerConcept – Authority Figure’s Power– Indicator – Presence of Authority FigureIndicator – Presence of Authority Figure

Varied proximity to authority figureVaried proximity to authority figure

Dependent VariableDependent Variable– Concept – Conformity to AuthorityConcept – Conformity to Authority– Indicator – Whether or not they would follow Indicator – Whether or not they would follow

authority figure’s directions to shock othersauthority figure’s directions to shock others

These Two Experiments Are Also Famous for These Two Experiments Are Also Famous for Another REASONAnother REASON

Violation of Human Subjects RightsViolation of Human Subjects Rights

IRB – Institutional Review BoardIRB – Institutional Review Board

PurposePurpose Protect the Right of Human Subjects Protect the Right of Human Subjects

When Research is Being DoneWhen Research is Being Done

Protect VULNERABLE populationsProtect VULNERABLE populations

MotivationMotivationHolocaustHolocaust

IRB – Institutional Review BoardIRB – Institutional Review Board

PurposePurpose Protect the Right of Human Subjects Protect the Right of Human Subjects

When Research is Being DoneWhen Research is Being Done

Protect VULNERABLE populationsProtect VULNERABLE populations

MotivationMotivationHolocaustHolocaustTuskegee ExperimentTuskegee Experiment

IRB – Institutional Review IRB – Institutional Review BoardBoard Requirements Established by BoardRequirements Established by Board

– Possible Benefits MUST Exceed Possible Possible Benefits MUST Exceed Possible HarmHarm For respondentsFor respondents

– Minimize HarmMinimize Harm

IRB – Institutional Review IRB – Institutional Review BoardBoard Requirements Established by BoardRequirements Established by Board

– Cost/Benefits AnalysisCost/Benefits Analysis

Social HarmSocial Harm

Physical HarmPhysical Harm

Psychological HarmPsychological Harm

Examples of HARMExamples of HARM Physical HarmPhysical Harm

– Tuskegee ExperimentTuskegee Experiment

Psychological Harm (Emotional Trauma)Psychological Harm (Emotional Trauma)– Milgram ExperimentMilgram Experiment– Zimbardo’s ExperimentZimbardo’s Experiment

Social Harm (Reputation/Good Name)Social Harm (Reputation/Good Name)– Release Zimbardo’s Tape?? Release Zimbardo’s Tape??

Asch’s ExperimentAsch’s Experiment

Example of Classical DesignExample of Classical Design

– Most Common Type of ExperimentMost Common Type of Experiment– Has Experimental GroupHas Experimental Group– Has Control GroupHas Control Group

Classical DesignClassical Design Pretest Pretest

– Concept – group conformity (Y)Concept – group conformity (Y)– Indicator – whether or not subject would report right Indicator – whether or not subject would report right

line or go along with groupline or go along with group

InterventionIntervention– Concept – group pressure (X)Concept – group pressure (X)– Indicator – confederates stating wrong lineIndicator – confederates stating wrong line

Post TestPost Test– Same as Pre-test (Y again)Same as Pre-test (Y again)

Used a Control GroupUsed a Control Group

Classical Experimental Classical Experimental DesignDesign

Two Stage SampleTwo Stage Sample– ConvenienceConvenience– Random Assignment into Experimental/ControlRandom Assignment into Experimental/Control

Experimental ProcedureExperimental ProcedurePre-testPre-test InterventionIntervention Post-testPost-test

Experimental GroupExperimental Group YY XX YY

Control GroupControl Group YY YY

Classical Experimental Classical Experimental DesignDesign

Type of HypothesisType of Hypothesis

– Research Question should be stated as a “difference” Research Question should be stated as a “difference” hypothesishypothesis

How does the experimental group differ from the How does the experimental group differ from the control group on second measurement of Ycontrol group on second measurement of Y

Classical Experimental Classical Experimental DesignDesign Major AdvantageMajor Advantage

– Can Establish causal relationshipCan Establish causal relationship X and Y are related X and Y are related

– There is a difference between the experimental and There is a difference between the experimental and control groupscontrol groups

– There is a relationship between score on second Y and There is a relationship between score on second Y and group membershipgroup membership

X comes before Y in TIMEX comes before Y in TIME– The difference in Y came after the introduction of XThe difference in Y came after the introduction of X

There is no Z variableThere is no Z variable– Random assignment – groups are alike except for exposure Random assignment – groups are alike except for exposure

to Xto X

Classical Experimental Classical Experimental DesignDesign

CAUTIONCAUTION

You have only established the impact of X on Y in You have only established the impact of X on Y in

a laboratory setting. You don’t know if X will have a laboratory setting. You don’t know if X will have same impact on Y in the “real world”. same impact on Y in the “real world”.

ANOTHER Modification of ANOTHER Modification of Experimental DesignExperimental Design

Solomon Four Group DesignSolomon Four Group Design

AdvantagesAdvantages

Does Pre-test have impact on Post-test?Does Pre-test have impact on Post-test?

IF you take the SAT a second IF you take the SAT a second

time, will having taken the test, time, will having taken the test,

impact score the second time?impact score the second time?

DisadvantagesDisadvantages

Takes more TimeTakes more Time

Takes more MoneyTakes more Money

Contact InformationContact Information

Dr. Carol AlbrechtDr. Carol Albrecht Assessment SpecialistAssessment Specialist Utah State ExtensionUtah State Extension 979-777-2421979-777-2421 Carol.albrecht@usu.eduCarol.albrecht@usu.edu