A psychologist investigated whether individuals diagnosed with Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) are quicker to detect micro-expressions of disapproval than individuals without SAD. A matched pairs design was used, involving 12 participants with SAD and 12 participants without SAD. The participants were matched on age and level of education.
Each participant completed a computerised task where they pressed a key as soon as they perceived a facial expression changing from neutral to angry. The reaction times (in milliseconds) were recorded. The researcher found that participants with SAD reacted significantly faster to angry expressions than the control group.
Outline one advantage of using a matched pairs design in this study.
Practise AQA A Level Psychology Scientific processes with exam-style questions for A Level Psychology. 689 questions, matched to the AQA A Level Psychology (7182) specification and written in Paper 1, Paper 2 and Paper 3 style. Every question includes a full worked solution and mark scheme, so you can see where marks are awarded rather than just whether you got the answer right.
