In lab experiments, a common concern is about generalizing findings to real-world settings. Which of the following best reflects this concern?

In lab experiments, a common concern is about generalizing findings to real-world settings. Which of the following best reflects this concern?

• A. High internal validity
• B. Easy sampling
• C. Lacks ecological validity
• D. Perfect replication

Answer: (C)

Ecological validity is about whether findings from a study apply in real-world settings. In lab experiments, the environment and tasks are tightly controlled and often artificial. This strong control boosts internal validity—showing that the observed effect is due to the manipulated variable and not other factors—but it can make the situation feel unlike everyday life. When the study conditions don’t resemble real life, the results may not transfer well, which is exactly what a lack of ecological validity signals. The other options miss this focus: high internal validity is about confidence that the effect isn’t due to confounds; easy sampling concerns how easily participants are recruited rather than real-world applicability; perfect replication deals with whether findings hold across repeated studies rather than generalization.

Ecological validity is about whether findings from a study apply in real-world settings. In lab experiments, the environment and tasks are tightly controlled and often artificial. This strong control boosts internal validity—showing that the observed effect is due to the manipulated variable and not other factors—but it can make the situation feel unlike everyday life. When the study conditions don’t resemble real life, the results may not transfer well, which is exactly what a lack of ecological validity signals. The other options miss this focus: high internal validity is about confidence that the effect isn’t due to confounds; easy sampling concerns how easily participants are recruited rather than real-world applicability; perfect replication deals with whether findings hold across repeated studies rather than generalization.