Why do psychologists conduct experiments in controlled laboratory settings? High schoolers gain an understanding of the importance of controls with an activity that involves naturalistic observations with no imposed controls.

Concepts

child psychology, making observations, observational skills

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Additional Tags

social studies

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Instructional Ideas

• Use the activity at the beginning of the course to illustrate some of the challenges in observing behavior and the importance of and limitations of controlled laboratory settings for experiments

Classroom Considerations

• Have two timers, either digital or stopwatches, available for volunteers

Pros

• Class members must identify the challenges involved in conducting observations and collecting data

Cons

• None

Common Core

SL.9-10.1.a SL.11-12.1.a