A Level Psychology OCR Practice Exam

What was a significant feature of both Loftus and Palmer (1973) and Grant et al (1998) in terms of their participants?

1. They included a wide age range of participants

2. They were both ethnically diverse samples

3. They were conducted with university students

4. They had no control over participant selection

The correct answer is: They were conducted with university students

The choice indicating that both studies were conducted with university students captures a significant feature of Loftus and Palmer (1973) and Grant et al. (1998). Both studies primarily utilized university students as their participants, which reflects a common practice in psychological research where a readily available sample is often utilized. This characteristic allows researchers to conveniently access willing participants but can also affect the generalizability of the findings outside of this demographic. Having a sample that predominantly consists of university students is important, as it can influence the outcomes of the research concerning cognitive processes, memory, or other psychological phenomena being studied. It tends to lead to a focus on a specific age group, typically young adults, which can sometimes limit the applicability of the findings to a broader population. In contrast, the other options presented do not accurately reflect the key features of both studies. The studies did not specifically aim for a wide age range, nor did they emphasize ethnic diversity in their samples. Furthermore, while they could have had some control over participant selection, the statement regarding having no control is inaccurate in the context of how both studies were designed and executed.