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Research methods and skills

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Question 39

Pecking under pressure study description

Researchers investigated operant conditioning and schedule-induced behavior in pigeons.

The pigeons were housed individually and placed in a custom operant chamber containing an illuminated key and a liquid reinforcement dispenser.

The pigeons experienced one of the following four conditions:

  • Condition P: A 0.1 mL droplet of highly concentrated sucrose solution was delivered immediately every time the pigeon pecked the illuminated key.
  • Condition Q: A 0.1 mL droplet of sucrose solution was delivered on a variable interval schedule (averaging once every 40 seconds, provided at least one peck occurred).
  • Condition R: A 0.1 mL droplet of sucrose solution was delivered on a fixed ratio schedule (following every 12th key peck).
  • Condition S: A mild, brief electric shock (0.8 mA for 0.5 seconds) was delivered through the metal grid floor whenever the pigeon pecked the key while it was illuminated red.

The mean key-pecking rate (pecks per minute) and the mean frequency of distress behaviors (such as rapid wing-flapping or vocalisation) during a 20-minute observation trial were recorded.

Table 1: Performance and behavioral responses of pigeons across the four conditions

ConditionMean key-pecking rate (pecks per minute)Mean frequency of distress behaviors
Condition P34.20.4
Condition Q18.51.1
Condition R58.10.8
Condition S2.112.4

Using the study description, explain one ethical consideration that the researchers of the "Pecking under pressure" study would have had to consider when conducting their investigation.

[2]

Research methods and skills Questions

  1. A Level
  2. /Psychology
  3. /Research methods and skills

Practise Edexcel A Level Psychology Research methods and skills with exam-style questions for A Level Psychology. 657 questions covering Research methods and skills, matched to the Edexcel A Level Psychology (9PS0) 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.

Question bank