BTEC Applied Psychology Social Practice Exam 2025 - Free Applied Psychology Practice Questions and Study Guide

One of the key strengths of Skinner's study lies in the use of lab-raised animals, specifically pigeons and rats, which adds a level of reliability to the research. Lab-raised animals are typically more manageable and exhibit more predictable behaviors compared to wild counterparts, allowing researchers to more easily control the experimental environment and conditions. This controlled setting minimizes external variables and distractions, enhancing the internal validity of the study. By employing such animals, Skinner could effectively isolate and manipulate variables to observe the principles of operant conditioning, contributing to the robustness and generalizability of his findings.

In contrast, using wild animals might introduce unpredictable behaviors based on their natural instincts, making it more challenging to establish clear cause-and-effect relationships. Additionally, the other options do not demonstrate strengths inherent to Skinner's study; rather, they highlight limitations, such as a lack of ecological validity or the consequences of varying species, which were not part of the primary focus of his research.