What is the point of having a control group in a Psychological experiment?

A control group allows us to have a base recording that we can compare our experimental group to. A control group and an experimental group are treated in the same way except for the variable that we are manipulating (independent variable). The experimental group is exposed to it, while the control group isn’t. That way, if we do find a difference between the two groups at the end of the study, we can feel confident it is because of our manipulation. 

CC
Answered by Catherine C. Psychology tutor

7190 Views

See similar Psychology A Level tutors

Related Psychology A Level answers

All answers ▸

Explain the biological basis of Depression.


Describe and explain the role of animal studies in attachment, provide an example


Give two examples of an insecure-avoidant attachment type (2 marks)


Briefly discuss two types of determinism


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning