5. Issues of Replicability

About this Lecture

Lecture

In this lecture, we explore the interrelated nature of validity and reliability, focusing in particular on: (i) the ways in which researchers can replicate studies to test reliability; (ii) the afore challenged example link between pizza toppings and psychopathy, used to outline exact and conceptual replication types, before expanding on this with real-world study examples; (iii) one hugely famous example of manipulation in replication being Sherif’s Robber’s Cave study; (iv) how this failed to find the desired results in its first form, causing Sherif to replicate the study under different conditions as he believed the original result was due to a failure of the experiment; (v) a wealth of famous psychology studies which failed the test of either exact or conceptual replication, highlighting the failure of psychological science to update its theories in light of these new outcomes.

Course

In this course, Dr Ayoub Bouguettaya (University of Birmingham) explores a key shortcoming in the field of psychological science – replication. In the first lecture, we explore the concept of replication and define science in terms of three key criteria: reliable and valid theory which can predict outcomes, theories that can be disproven by quantifiable experimentation, and theories that are altered or withdrawn in the light of new findings. In the second lecture, we explore reliability and outline three core issues facing psychological science: quantifiable measures, theories that cannot be disproven, and unrefined theories. In the third and fourth lectures, we explore the definition of validity, its variety of forms, and the challenges associated with formulating valid research. Next, we think about the interrelatedness of validity and reliability, as well as returning to this idea of replication and the many famous studies which have failed either conceptual or exact replication. In the sixth and final lecture, we think about the ways in which the field of psychology is tackling these problems and conclude on two different perspectives on whether psychology can be considered a true science.

Lecturer

Dr Ayoub Bouguettaya is a lecturer in the School of Psychology at the University of Birmingham. Dr Bouguettaya’s research interests are in social psychology and how knowledge from that field can be applied to others, particularly health, including how we can apply social identity theory to societal problems, as well as investigating the different perspectives one might take on those issues. Some of Dr Bouguettaya’s recent publications include 'The relationship between gambling advertising and gambling attitudes, intentions and behaviours: a critical and meta-analytic review' (2020) and 'The Effect of a Food Addiction Explanation Model for Weight Control and Obesity on Weight Stigma' (2020).