Question

In an experiment designed to test memory processes, one group was given special instructions and asked to group the items on a list into categories while they tried to memorize them. A second group of participants was given the same list, but they did not receive any special instructions. In this study, the experimental group is

a) The group that received no special instructions
b) The group that grouped items into categories
c) Both groups equally
d) Neither group, as it's not an experimental design

Answer 1

The experimental group is the group that grouped items into categories, while the control group received no special instructions. The control group serves to measure the effect of the memorization strategy without any experimental manipulation.

Step-by-step explanation:

The experimental group in the described experiment is the group that was given special instructions to group items into categories to help them memorize the list. This is the group that is exposed to the experimental manipulation, which is the treatment or variable being tested. On the other hand, the control group is the one that received no special instructions and is not exposed to the experimental manipulation, ensuring that any differences in outcomes between the two groups can be attributed to the manipulation rather than other factors such as chance or experimenter bias.

To ensure a rigorous research design, it is crucial to eliminate the impact of experimenter bias and lurking variables. This is typically achieved through techniques such as blinding and random assignment. In the provided description, the control group's lack of special instructions qualifies it to serve a critical function within the experimental framework, which is to act as a baseline for comparing the effect of the memorization strategy used by the experimental group.