AP PSYCHOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -The trials were determined randomly. Size of the witnessing group (a naturally occurring independent variable). The sample consisted of the 4450 American passengers using that particular train, 45% of which were black and 55% white.

Detailed explanation-2: -Piliavin et al. designed a field experiment, using covert observation to test several variables and their effect on helping behaviour. These included the responsibility of the victim (drunk/cane, ) race of the victim, effect of modelling and effect of group size.

Detailed explanation-3: -It was a field experiment using independent groups design therefore, there was high ecological validity as participants’ behaviour was natural. However, we cannot control extraneous variables that influence behaviour thus, lowering validity and reliability.

Detailed explanation-4: -Situational explanations look to the environment (the situation we are in) to explain the causes of behaviour. Examples of situational variables include society, culture, noise or anything else in the environment. Individual explanations look at factors in the person themselves to explain behaviour.