There are various psychological experiments in the past that have been designed to demonstrate human behavior in different circumstances. Various theories are used to inspire these experiments and there are certain ethical considerations that can be applied in this. For the purpose of this paper an experiment to determine how secondary students of school X are conditioned by the bell for lunch break will be considered. This experiment is inspired by Pavlov experiment with a dog to determine classical conditioning.
Independent Variables
The independent variable for this research experiment is bell ring. Independent variable is usually not affected by other variables but it is the one that affects the subject variable. In taking this experiment the bell will continuously be rang at exactly 2pm for two weeks. Every time the bell is ringed students will be allowed in to the dining hall and be given food. Then on the first day of the third week the bell will be rang at 11 pm and the students reactions towards the bell be observed. The change of time in independent variable is necessary to check whether the students have been classically conditioned.
The subject variable is normally affected by the actions of independent variable. In this experiment the subject variable includes desire of food which will be analyzed through behaviors such as students going to the dining hall carrying plates following the bell being rang and lack of concentration in class once the bell is rang.
In order to measure concentration the teacher will remain in class even after the bell has been rang and see if the students will continue answering and asking questions on the topic of discussion or taking notes. Measuring of behavior of carrying plates will be observed and recorded for final analysis,
Conditions for the Experiment
There will be three main conditions for the experiment; the bell must be ranged at 2 pm daily for two weeks before making change on the time. The second condition is that the bell is that every time the bell is ringed the students will be allowed to go to the dining hall and take food. Lastly the experiment is done only with the secondary students of school X.
Assigning participants to the Conditions
The participants will be given food immediately they get to the dining hall, the bell will act as a tool for time management for the experiment and participants will be compared to another control group who will be given lunch but not strictly following the bell ringing.
Hypothesis of the experiment
The hypothesis for this experiment is Continuous ringing of the bell at lunch time conditions students to have desire for food. The null hypothesis is continuous ringing of the bell conditions students to have desire for food. The alternative hypothesis is continuous ringing of the bell does not condition the students to have desire for food.
Experimental realism
This experiment is significant in the day to day activity as people usually become classically conditioned even without their knowing it. Most people put alarms to wake them up, start salivating when they smell some sweet food aroma and sense danger when they hear people wailing. The findings of this experiment can be applied in schools and other organization for time management and certain behavior change such as helping children to stop urinating on bed
Ethical considerations in the Experiment
The experiment will be done only for the benefit of the participant and other people in general. Participants will not be harmed in any way as the experiment does not involve any physical or emotional abuse. Confidentiality will also be observed.
