Why Might a Person's Reactivity Threaten a Study's Internal Validity

question 32

Multiple Choice

Why might a person's reactivity threaten a study's internal validity?

• A) They change their behavior based on realizing others are observing them.
• B) They prefer not to be observed as often as the study requires.
• C) Researchers ask them to change their behavior to get better results.
• D) The study ends early and the person goes home early.

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Definitions:

Attribution Theory

A concept in social psychology focused on how individuals interpret events and how this relates to their thinking and behavior, specifically how they attribute causes to successes and failures.

Luchins

Refers to a series of experiments or the psychologist, Abraham Luchins, famous for his work on mental set and problem solving.

Fundamental Attribution Error

The tendency to overestimate the effect of disposition or personality and underestimate the effect of situational factors when observing others' behaviors.

Attributions

Explanations for the causes of events or behaviors, often as internal (personal) or external (situational) factors.