This document discusses the concept of realism in experiments and whether experimental findings can be applied outside of a laboratory setting. It introduces the ideas of mundane realism, which refers to how similar an experiment looks to a real-world situation, and experimental realism, which refers to how similar an experiment feels psychologically. The document examines studies by Harris and Milgram to illustrate differences in mundane and experimental realism. It emphasizes that experimental realism only increases confidence in applying findings more broadly if participants genuinely experience the intended psychological states created by the experiment.

1. True Experiments Realism in Experiments

2. Realism in Experiments Are experiments too artificial? i.e., not representative of realistic situations Do experimental findings apply outside of the laboratory? External validity

3. Realism in Experiments Mundane realism Does it look like the real world? Experimental realism Does it feel like the real world? The degree to which a study is a study is psychologically meaningful

4. Realism in Experiments Harris (1974) High in mundane realism Milgram (1974) Low in mundane realism High in experimental realism

5. Realism in Experiments External validity The extent to which research findings can be generalized to the greater population Experimental realism increases our confidence in the external validity of research findings only when e can be certain that the participants in an experiment do, in fact, experience the psychological states that the experimenter hopes to create