Evaluate an Experiment Assignment

Evaluation of an Experiment Assignment
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Study 1
The first study tested the supposition that when one is exposed to cleaner scent, there is an automatic enhancement to the accessibility of the concept of cleaning so that the exposure would increase the speed of the responses of the subjects to cleaning-related terminologies in a lexical task decision (Holland, Hendriks & Aarts, 2005). In other words, the study tried to support the suggestion that a scent can influence behavior without the conscious awareness of the subjects.
The independent variable used in this study is the cleaner scent. Based on the authors’ definition, the cleaner scent used was that of citrus which is distinctive of general cleaners and often manifested during cleaning. On the other hand, the dependent variable was the cleaner-related words defined as real words that were cleaning-related such as “cleaning,” “tidying up,” and “hygiene.” The research method used was correlational as the author tried to determine if there is a correlation between the two quantitative variables presented.
Lastly, the study was a between-participants design as the main dependent variable was the cleaner-related words which were examined against the response latencies of the participants. Also, the study was internally valid because it avoided the confounding- there was just one independent variable.
Study 2
The second study tested the hypothesis that when one is exposed to cleaner scent, there is an automatic enhancement to the accessibility of the concept of cleaning so that the exposure would direct expectations of home activities of the future.

The independent variable was a cleaner scent which was defined as the citrus scent which is usually presented during cleaning. On the other hand, the dependent variable was the cleaner-related words which were defined as the cleaning concept used by the participants. The research method used was correlational as there was a determination of a correlation between the two quantitative variables presented.
Lastly, the design used was between-participants as two groups of subjects were being tested concurrently- the group that mentioned real words and the group that mentioned control words. Also, inferential statistics were utilized to make findings of the prospect that an observed distinction between the cleaner-related words group and the control words group is a dependable one.
Study 3
The independent variable is the scent which is described by the author as a round biscuit that normally generates crumbs when bitten. On the other hand, the dependent variable was the hand movements of the participants which were recorded as the behavior portrayed by the subjects.
The research method used was a correlation as the results were measured based on the link between decisions made by two judges to establish the effects of scent on the behavior of the subjects. The study was a within-participants design as all the subjects were exposed to every step of the examination process to ascertain the change in behavior or the effects of scent on their behavior. Further, there were no internal validity issues as no confound regarding the multiplicity of independent variable was there-there was just one independent variable.
Lastly, interrater reliability is important in studies relying on observation because it makes sure the produced results meet the conventional criteria that define reliability, by quantitatively outlining the extent of agreement between the different observers.
Three Studies
The study is applied because it seeks to add or expand on the already existing scientific knowledge. Based on studies that have been carried out on the field, the findings of the relation between scent and behavior simply complements the already existing scientific knowledge.
Cleaning fluids might be smelt when a different person is washing their clothes, and this might influence a person into thinking about cleaning their house or washing their clothes. Also, a sense of touch may influence a person’s behavior. For instance, a person may touch a wet soapy cloth and think about washing their clothes or home.
Further, cleaning related behaviors can be measured using surveys where subjects are subjected to questionnaire questions about their perceptions of the effects of scent on behaviors. Also, quasi-experiments can be carried out on subjects with observations made on how scent influences the participants’ behaviors.
Finally, the smell of food during lunch hours can influence behavior. A person can be influenced into thinking about lunch when he or she is exposed to the smell during lunch hours. To test this hypothesis, observation can be more effective. The subjects will be routinely exposed to the smell of food during lunch hours and their behavior observed and recorded.
Reference
Holland, R. W., Hendriks, M., & Aarts, H. (2005). Smells like clean spirit: Nonconscious effects of scent on cognition and behavior. Psychological Science, 16(9), 689-693.