Written by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 examโขWritten by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Definition
Naturally occurring situations refer to real-life environments or settings where individuals naturally behave without any artificial manipulation or control by researchers.
Related terms
Field Study: This type of research takes place outside of laboratories, typically in real-world settings such as schools, workplaces, or public spaces.
Ecological validity refers to how well findings from psychological studies conducted in natural settings can be generalized or applied to real-life situations.
Participant Reactivity: This term describes how individuals may change their behavior when they are aware that they are being observed, potentially influencing study results.