Experiment - one of the main methods of a research in psychology. It is possible to allocate different types of experiments depending on a way of carrying out, result of influence, mindfulness level.
Instruction
1. The laboratory experiment is made in specially created conditions. In the artificial environment the experimenter has an opportunity as much as possible to limit influence of additional variables. Investigated are affected only by those isolated factors, reaction to which interests the researcher. These factors can be manipulated, monitoring changes in reactions.
2. The researcher takes an active position in a laboratory experiment, exercises control and interacting with examinees. He can also behave in a directive way. In laboratory experiments often use the special equipment authentically to record changes of indicators. A lack of a laboratory experiment – difficulty of correlation of its results with real life.
3. The field experiment is made under natural conditions. Examinees are included in the usual vital environment. The experimenter takes a passive position of the observer, whenever possible does not interfere with the experiment course. Often examinees do not know about the participation in a research. It is necessary that they behaved naturally, but not in a socially desirable way. The researcher does not exercise control over variables. Such kind of an experiment allows to draw conclusions on behavior of people in certain life situations.
4. The forming or psychology and pedagogical experiment consists in rendering the directed impact on the examinee with the purpose to create a certain skill. Very popular type of an experiment in pedagogical psychology. It has to pass under the leadership of the qualified specialist because incorrect influence can lead to negative consequences for the examinee. Any given psychological skill is developed under the influence of actions. For example, the examinee are given tasks. The experimenter is actively included in process, exercises control.
5. The stating experiment is intended to confirm the fact of existence of any phenomenon. During such research the level of development of any given property usually is detected in examinees. Very often stating experiment precedes forming. The experimenter obtains necessary data, later works on improvement of the characteristic interesting him. The Patopsikhologichesky experiment is made with the purpose to study mental processes and conditions of the person and to reveal possible violations. It occurs by means of specially developed techniques.