Example Answer for Question 14 Paper 1: A Level Psychology, June 2017 (AQA)

Section C – Attachment: Q14 [4 Marks]

One issue that researchers might encounter when investigating caregiver-infant interactions is the issue of extraneous variables (e.g. the location/setting) affecting the results. For example, Meltzoff & Moore used a controlled observation in a laboratory-like setting which could affect the ecological validity of the findings. This matters because it means that the results of the research may not apply to caregiver-infant interactions in the real-world and therefore limits the generalisability of the findings.

A second issue is the possibility of observer bias. A lot of the research examining caregiver-infant interactions is observational, and often the researchers are also the main observers. This can lead to the possibility of observer bias where the researchers consciously or unconsciously interpret behaviour to support their findings. This matters because it reduces the objectivity of the findings and may result in a biased conclusion that is formed to support the research aim, and not to further our understanding of caregiver-infant interactions.

Please Note: These answers have been produced without the knowledge of the mark scheme and merely reflect my attempt at producing a model answer on the day of the exam.