Which of the following is a drawback of behavioral measures in psychological research?

• A. They may not accurately capture internal mental states such as thoughts or emotions.
• B. They always require the use of complex brain imaging technology.
• C. They provide direct access to unconscious processes.
• D. They are never influenced by observer bias.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand what behavioral measures are in psychological research. Behavioral measures involve observing and recording actions or responses of participants, such as reaction times, frequency of behaviors, or choices made during tasks.
2. Step 2: Recognize the strengths of behavioral measures, such as their objectivity and ability to provide observable data that can be quantified and analyzed.
3. Step 3: Consider the limitations of behavioral measures. Since they focus on observable actions, they may not fully capture internal mental states like thoughts, feelings, or emotions, which are subjective and not directly observable.
4. Step 4: Evaluate the given options by comparing them to the known limitations and strengths of behavioral measures. For example, behavioral measures do not always require complex brain imaging technology, nor do they provide direct access to unconscious processes, and they can be influenced by observer bias.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the main drawback of behavioral measures is their inability to accurately capture internal mental states such as thoughts or emotions, which aligns with the correct answer provided.