Short Answer

You are designing a study to test if players of cooperative video games react less aggressively to a standardized setback than players of competitive video games. Applying the methodology of the Cohen et al. (1996) hallway study, how would you use a confederate to create a standardized setback for the players?

Question: You are designing a study to test if players of cooperative video games react less aggressively to a standardized setback than players of competitive video games. Applying the methodology of the Cohen et al. (1996) hallway study, how would you use a confederate to create a standardized setback for the players?

Sample answer: I would have a confederate act as a teammate or opponent who deliberately sabotages a crucial move in the game using a pre-scripted error or verbal insult. This standardizes the setback for all participants, allowing observers to rate their immediate behavioral and emotional reactions to the sabotage.

Key points:

  • The confederate performs a scripted, identical action to create the setback.
  • The setback is standardized across both cooperative and competitive player groups.
  • Immediate behavioral/emotional reactions are recorded by observers.

Rubric: The answer must apply the confederate concept by describing a standardized, staged action (such as sabotage or a scripted insult) that serves as the uniform trigger for all participants in the gaming context.

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Updated 2026-05-27

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Research Methods in Psychology - 4th American Edition @ KPU

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