A psychology student, Ben, is investigating the effectiveness of a new cognitive training program on improving working memory capacity. He recruits 40 participants and randomly assigns them to either the cognitive training group or a control group that receives no training. Working memory capacity is measured using a digit span test before and after the intervention. What is the MOST significant limitation regarding the ecological validity of Ben’s investigation?
The digit span test is a highly artificial task and may not reflect real-world working memory demands.
The sample size of 40 participants is too small to draw meaningful conclusions about the effectiveness of the cognitive training program.
Random assignment of participants to groups does not ensure that the groups are equivalent at baseline.
The lack of a placebo control group makes it difficult to determine whether any observed improvements are due to the active components of the training program.
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Create Free Account Log inThis is a free VCE Units 3 & 4 Psychology practice question worth 1 mark, testing your understanding of Method limitations. It falls under How is scientific inquiry used to investigate mental processes and psychological functioning? in Unit 4: How is mental wellbeing supported and maintained?. Submit your answer above to receive instant AI-powered marking and personalised feedback.
In this unit students explore the demand for sleep and the influences of sleep on mental wellbeing. They consider how changes to a person’s sleep-wake cycle can affect psychological functioning. Students explore the concept of mental wellbeing, including social and emotional wellbeing as a multidimensional and holistic framework. They apply a biopsychosocial approach to specific phobia, exploring how biological, psychological and social factors are involved in its development and management. A student-designed scientific investigation involving the generation of primary data related to mental processes and mental wellbeing is undertaken in either Unit 3 or Unit 4 or across both Units 3 and 4, and is assessed in Outcome 3 of this unit.
Students undertake a student-designed scientific investigation in either Unit 3 or Unit 4, or across both Units 3 and 4, related to mental processes and mental wellbeing. The investigation involves the generation of primary quantitative data. Students apply key science skills to develop and test a research question, gather and analyse data, and communicate findings in a structured scientific poster. A logbook is maintained for authentication and assessment purposes.
assumptions and limitations of investigation methodology and/or data generation and/or analysis methods
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