When research participants are involved in laboratory observation,they often know that they are being observed.Why is this a potential problem for the results of the study?
A) It is impossible to be able to draw cause and effect conclusions about participants who know they are being observed. In order to draw cause and effect conclusions, the observation must take place in a naturalistic setting.
B) People may behave differently when they know they are being watched, and thus the results in the laboratory may be artificial
C) Participants' awareness of the fact that they are being observed is not, in fact, a problem for laboratory observation. It is a problem for naturalistic observation.
D) If people know they are being watched, they will make sure to do exactly what they think the experimenter wants. This is called demand bias.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Knowing that one is being observed can cause participants to alter their behavior, leading to artificial results. This is a well-known issue in psychology research, and researchers must take steps to minimize the impact of observer effects.

When Research Participants Are Involved in Laboratory Observation,they Often Know