In Maguire et al.'s (2000) study of spatial memory in London taxi drivers, the control group participants (non-taxi drivers) were closely matched to the experimental group on specific characteristics such as age range, sex, and handedness.
What was the main purpose of this matching procedure?
To control for confounding participant variables that might influence hippocampal volume
To allow the researchers to employ a repeated measures design
To ensure that both groups had similar levels of prior navigational training
To identify and exclude individuals with pre-existing neurological conditions
