Studying An Army In A Lab
It is possible to study an army in a laboratory to a certain extent. Although you cannot study it in a concrete sense, it is possible to study theoretical aspects of a natural setting, or an army in this case, in a controlled environment like a laboratory. Expectation states theory suggests that we form expectations of individuals by assuming their competence. In small groups, this forms hierarchies in which some are seen as more capable and important than others.
In the experiment of studying an army in a lab, air force staff sergeants would often defer to the choice of the other participant if the other was thought to be of a higher rank or a captain. A theory is a proposed explanation for a natural occurrence. This proposition is then tested in an experiment, typically in a controlled environment, to see whether the mechanisms and variables of the theory are supported. Future researchers can then apply theories or properties of those theories to other relevant situations or occurrences, including similar research. In the computer-mediated experiment, it was suggested to participants that some people are innately good at certain skills, like in the “Meaning Insight” and “Relational Ability” tests. After taking the test, they are given predetermined results, being better, worse, or equal to another supposed individual taking it at the same time. Depending on how they did compared to the other “participant” (a computer), this would affect their choice in the next test of deciding whether there was more black or white on an image, although there was no difference in the images. If they scored low on the previous test and were told that the other participant scored higher, they were more likely to change their own answer match the second participant’s answer because they were perceived as ‘better’ at the challenge. In the group study method, a small group is given a task to work on together, and they were recorded to observe how the hierarchies formed within the group throughout the process. Some factors observed in this included who talked loudest and more frequently as well as body posture and mannerisms.
Some general benefits of the artificial laboratory environment are controlling and manipulating variables precisely as intended. This ensures internal validity, ensuring that the outcomes of the experiment are due only what was manipulated and not extraneous factors. It also means that there will (hopefully) be a thorough procedure that can be replicated by future researchers. Another benefit is that you can create specific instances that are otherwise difficult or impossible to create or observe in a natural setting. This can all be applied to testing theories of status, for example studying a theory with a group experiment in a controlled environment to measure how hierarchies form and applying the theory to larger groups or organizations.
Additionally, in a lab, you can test a theory under many circumstances to broaden its applicability. An exact class definition is a definition or set of statements that frame an idea in a way that is non-contradictory. These are meant to force research to be exact and clear in what is being measured, and to ensure that the outcome is only so because of what was measured and not due to any other variable. They are meant to be universal to allow replicability because the definitions are the same no matter how and when it is used.
Status characteristic theory suggests that inherent characteristics determine how people are stratified in a group. An example of these presented together could be a tall white man in a group. Tall white men are perceived higher in status. In a group, a tall white man is more likely to become the head or leader of a group because he is perceived to be more important or competent due to those characteristics. Therefore, tall white men become leaders of groups because they are tall white men.
