SOC 104 Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: Santa Barbara City College, Random Assignment, Internal Validity
Document Summary
Only way to determine causal relations is with the experimental method. But its downfall is that you don"t know if the results are externally valid. Experimental method - method in which the researcher randomly assigns participants to different conditions and ensures that these conditions are identical except for the independent variable (the one thought to have a causal effect on people"s responses) By carefully changing only one aspect of the situation (e. g. group size) they could test whether this aspect is the cause of the behavior in question (e. g. whether people help in an emergency) Go into room, sit in cubicle cant see others, Communicate over a device with others told no one else can hear them. 1 of the people is a confederate and will be having a seizure (which is pre-recorded for each condition). Examine whether a causes b: manipulate independent variable, observe effect on dependent variable. Basic principles: experimental control, random assignment.
