One limitation of naturalistic experiments is that:
A)they tell us nothing about cause-and-effect relationships.
B)they are often biased by researcher expectations.
C)researchers cannot assign large numbers of participants to long-term living situations.
D)researchers carry them out in a laboratory, which may not reflect real-life situations.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Naturalistic experiments involve observing individuals in their natural environment, but researchers cannot manipulate or control the situations in which participants find themselves. This means that researchers cannot randomly assign large numbers of participants to different living situations for long periods, which limits the scope of naturalistic experiments. This makes choice C the correct answer. A, B, and D are incorrect because naturalistic experiments can provide insights into cause-and-effect relationships, can be conducted in an unbiased manner, and do not necessarily have to be conducted in a lab setting.

One Limitation of Naturalistic Experiments Is That