In psychological research, what is the purpose of using a control group?

The use of a control group in psychological research serves to provide a baseline comparison against which the effects of the experimental treatment can be measured. By establishing a control group that does not receive the experimental treatment, researchers can determine whether the observed changes in the experimental group are due to the treatment itself or if they might be due to other factors. This helps to isolate the effect of the independent variable and strengthens the validity of the research findings.

The control group essentially acts as a standard to which other groups can be compared. This comparison allows researchers to better understand the relationship between their manipulated variables and the outcomes they are measuring, thus enhancing the rigor and interpretability of the study’s results.