Aim: To investigate whether there is a positive correlation between masculinity score & aggression score as measured frim self-report questionnaires.
Co-variables: Masculinity (/40) on attributes questionnaire. Aggression (/145) Bussy Perry aggression scale.
Alternative Hypothesis: It is predicted that a positive correlation between high lvls of masculinity scores shown from attribute scales will link to high lvls of aggression from the Bussy Perry scale.
Null Hypothesis: it is predicted that there is no relation between lvls of masculinity & lvls of aggression and if so it’s down to chance.
Method: Questionnaire Reponses to create a correlation.
Sampling: opportunity
Participants: 14 males, 14 females age 16-18 all King ED students (28ppts)
Controls: tested individually in a quest room with no distractions.
Procedure:
- We took already made questionnaires (personal attribute questionnaire for masculinity & bussy perry scale for aggression)
- The aggression scale had 145 questions with 2 reversed questions while the masculinity questionnaire had 8/40 questions on masculinity while the other 32 were distractor questions.
- Ppts were approached in a clam manner where we asked them to fill in a questionnaire in a quite environment.
- We told ppts they had a right to withdraw but didn’t tell them the aim until a debrief was given.
- After questionnaire done, informed consent was gained along with debrief given.
Results: Aggression mean: 90.71 Masculinity mean: 26.07
Calc value of 0.36 critical value of 0.317
Conclusion:
- Reject our null as calculated value bigger than critical.
- Sig difference in relation between aggression & masculinity (+ correlation)
- Accepted directional hypothesis
Improvements: use a wider sample as would improve generalizability.
| Strengths | Weakness |
| High Reliability – used standardized procedure, same questionnaire were used closed questions – therefore making it easier to replicate for consistencies.
High reliability – uses quantitative data by using closed questions on masculinity & aggression – produces objective data which reduces researcher bias. Application – results show there is a correlation between masculinity & aggression. If you want a job with aggressive traits then males would be better suited. High validity – correlation method used which controls of individual differences & participant variables effecting the results – making research more valid as all ppts did both questionnaires & we can be sure IV = DV |
Generalizability – because used opportunity sample of 28 ppts all age 16-18 and all geographically similar areas – doesn’t represent the whole population.
Low validity – only shows correlation between aggression and masculinity when there could be a third co-variable effecting the data – we cannot determine cause & effect as another variable may be effecting outcome Low validity – uses self-report data via questionnaires used to determine aggression & masculinity scores. – ppts may guess aim of the study & produce socially desirable answers. Low ecological validity – experiment was done in a laboratory experiment with high control over the situation – behind may not be normal & more likely to display socially desirable answers. |