Psychologists sometimes prefer to make observations in a laboratory setting rather than a naturalistic setting because:
A) subjects take their participation seriously in a professional environment.
B) it is too time-consuming to have to drive from place to place to observe subjects.
C) a lab allows the researchers to have more control over the situation.
D) laboratory observation results generalize to everyday life.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A laboratory setting allows researchers to control variables and minimize the influence of extraneous factors. This increases the internal validity of the study and allows for more accurate and precise measurements of behavior. In contrast, naturalistic settings can be difficult to control and may involve confounding variables that make it hard to draw clear conclusions. While lab observations may not always generalize to everyday life, this is not the main reason why researchers prefer this setting.

Psychologists Sometimes Prefer to Make Observations in a Laboratory Setting