Results obtained through the experimental method are very useful, but they do not prove with 100% certainty that a singular cause will always create a specific effect. Instead, they show the probability that a cause will or will not lead to a particular effect.
What Is the Experimental Method in Psychology?
The experimental method involves manipulating one variable to determine if this causes changes in another variable. This method relies on controlled research methods and random assignment of study subjects to test a hypothesis. For example, researchers may want to learn how different visual patterns may impact our perception. Or they might wonder whether certain actions can improve memory. Experiments are conducted on many behavioral topics, some of which include attention, cognition, emotion, memory, perception, and sensation. The scientific method forms the basis of the experimental method. This is a process used to determine the relationship between two variables—in this case, to explain human behavior. Positivism is also important in the experimental method. It refers to factual knowledge that is obtained through observation, which is considered to be trustworthy. When using the experimental method, researchers first identify and define key variables. Then they formulate a hypothesis, manipulate the variables, and collect data on the results. Unrelated or irrelevant variables are carefully controlled to minimize the potential impact on the experiment outcome.
History of the Experimental Method
The idea of using experiments to better understand human psychology began toward the end of the nineteenth century. Wilhelm Wundt established the first formal laboratory in 1879. Wundt is often called the father of experimental psychology. He believed that experiments could help explain how psychology works, and used this approach to study consciousness. Other early contributors to the development and evolution of experimental psychology as we know it today include:
Gustav Fechner (1801-1887), who helped develop procedures for measuring sensations according to the size of the stimulusHermann von Helmholtz (1821-1894), who analyzed philosophical assumptions through research in an attempt to arrive at scientific conclusionsFranz Brentano (1838-1917), who called for a combination of first-person and third-person research methods when studying psychologyGeorg Elias Müller (1850-1934), who performed an early experiment on attitude which involved the sensory discrimination of weights and revealed how anticipation can affect this discrimination
Key Terms to Know
To understand how the experimental method works, it is important to know some key terms.
Dependent variable: The dependent variable is the effect that the experimenter is measuring. If a researcher was investigating how sleep influences test scores, for example, the test scores would be the dependent variable. Independent variable: The independent variable is the variable that the experimenter manipulates. In the previous example, the amount of sleep an individual gets would be the independent variable. Hypothesis: A hypothesis is a tentative statement or a guess about the possible relationship between two or more variables. In looking at how sleep influences test scores, the researcher might hypothesize that people who get more sleep will perform better on a math test the following day. The purpose of the experiment, then, is to either support or reject this hypothesis.
The Experimental Process
Psychologists, like other scientists, use the scientific method when conducting an experiment. The scientific method is a set of procedures and principles that guide how scientists develop research questions, collect data, and come to conclusions. The five basic steps of the experimental process are: Most psychology students are expected to use the experimental method at some point in their academic careers. Learning how to conduct an experiment is important to understanding how psychologists prove and disprove theories in this field.
Types of Experiments
There are a few different types of experiments that researchers might use when studying psychology. Each has pros and cons depending on the participants being studied, the hypothesis, and the resources available to conduct the research.
Lab Experiments
Lab experiments are common in psychology because they allow experimenters more control over the variables. These experiments can also be easier for other researchers to replicate. The drawback of this research type is that what takes place in a lab is not always what takes place in the real world.
Field Experiments
Sometimes researchers opt to conduct their experiments in the field. For example, a social psychologist interested in researching prosocial behavior might have a person pretend to faint and observe how long it takes onlookers to respond. This type of experiment can be a great way to see behavioral responses in realistic settings. But it is more difficult for researchers to control the many variables existing in these settings that could potentially influence the experiment’s results.
Quasi-Experiments
While lab experiments are known as true experiments, researchers can also utilize a quasi-experiment. Quasi-experiments are often referred to as natural experiments because the researchers do not have true control over the independent variable. A researcher looking at personality differences and birth order, for example, is not able to manipulate the independent variable in the situation (personality traits). Participants also cannot be randomly assigned because they naturally fall into pre-existing groups based on their birth order. So why would a researcher use a quasi-experiment? This is a good choice in situations where scientists are interested in studying phenomena in natural, real-world settings. It’s also beneficial if there are limits on research funds or time.
Examples of the Experimental Method in Use
The experimental method can provide insight into human thoughts and behaviors, Researchers use experiments to study many aspects of psychology.
Attention
A 2019 study investigated whether splitting attention between electronic devices and classroom lectures had an effect on college students’ learning abilities. It found that dividing attention between these two mediums did not affect lecture comprehension. However, it did impact long-term retention of the lecture information, which affected students’ exam performance.
Cognition
An experiment used participants’ eye movements and electroencephalogram (EEG) data to better understand cognitive processing differences between experts and novices. It found that experts had higher power in their theta brain waves than novices, suggesting that they also had a higher cognitive load.
Emotion
A study looked at whether chatting online with a computer via a chatbot changed the positive effects of emotional disclosure often received when talking with an actual human. It found that the effects were the same in both cases.
Memory
One experimental study evaluated whether exercise timing impacts information recall. It found that engaging in exercise prior to performing a memory task helped improve participants’ short-term memory abilities.
Perception
Sometimes researchers use the experimental method to get a bigger-picture view of psychological behaviors and impacts. For example, one 2018 study examined several lab experiments to learn more about the impact of various environmental factors on building occupant perceptions.
Sensation
A 2020 study set out to determine the role that sensation-seeking plays in political violence. This research found that sensation-seeking individuals have a higher propensity for engaging in political violence. It also found that providing access to a more peaceful, yet still exciting political group helps reduce this effect.
Potential Pitfalls
While the experimental method can be a valuable tool for learning more about psychology and its impacts, it also comes with a few pitfalls. Experiments may produce artificial results, which are difficult to apply to real-world situations. Similarly, researcher bias can impact the data collected. Results may not be able to be reproduced, meaning the results have low reliability. Since humans are unpredictable and their behavior can be subjective, it can be hard to measure responses in an experiment. In addition, political pressure may alter the results. The subjects may not be a good representation of the population, or groups used may not be comparable. And finally, since researchers are human too, results may be degraded due to human error.
A Word From Verywell
Every psychological research method has its pros and cons. The experimental method can be helpful for establishing cause and effect, and it’s also beneficial when research funds are limited or time is of the essence. At the same time, it’s important to be aware of this method’s pitfalls, such as how biases can affect the results or the potential for low reliability. Keeping these in mind can help you review and assess research studies more accurately, giving you a better idea of whether the results can be trusted or if they have limitations.
