Describe what is meant by 'experimental conditions' and 'control conditions' in research, using any examples.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2020). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [6] 1 mark for basic definition of 'experimental condition'. 1 mark for basic definition of 'control condition'. Up to 5 further marks for detail / examples. The experimental condition is the condition / level with the IV present = 1 (definition) The control condition is the condition / level with the IV absent = 1 (definition) Two experimental conditions can be tested against each other / without a control; e.g. if two drugs are being tested for their efficacy = 1 (relevant example) The control condition is used as a baseline to compare the experimental condition(s) against; e.g. if the efficacy of one drug is compared to that of a placebo = 1 (relevant example) e.g. Bandura et al. used two experimental conditions of aggressive and non-aggressive model = 1 (core study example) e.g. Bandura et al. used a control condition of no model = 1 (core study example) e.g. Yamamoto et al. compared experimental conditions 'can see' with control condition 'cannot see' e.g. Schachter and Singer used two experimental conditions of angry and euphoric stooge = 1 (core study example) e.g. Schachter and Singer compared a control condition of 'ignorant' to experimental conditions (Mis/Inf) = 1 (core study example)