Which of the following is a shortcoming of the laboratory experimental approach to understanding human development?
A) It is often difficult to randomly assign subjects to different treatment conditions.
B) Experiments rarely inform us about cause-and-effect relationships.
C) This technique does not work well for the study of aggression.
D) The results may not be applicable outside the experimental situation.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The laboratory experimental approach involves studying human development in a controlled setting, which often does not reflect real-life situations. As a result, the results obtained may not be applicable outside the experimental situation, making it a major shortcoming of this approach. The random assignment of subjects to different treatment conditions (A) is one of the strengths of this approach. Experiments are designed to establish cause-and-effect relationships, and therefore, experiments do inform us about cause-and-effect relationships (B). While laboratory experiments may not be suitable for the study of aggression, it is not a shortcoming of this approach as there are other ways through which aggression can be studied in a laboratory setting.

Which of the Following Is a Shortcoming of the Laboratory