Researching simulated reality

Another differentiation is that the layperson learns by observing social phenomena as it happens. In comparison, a social psychologist makes things happen to observe social reactions to simulated events (Aronson, 2008; Myers, 2008; Kenrick, Neuberg, & Cialdini, 2007). This allows the social psychologist to draw precise conclusions using data not available to the individual experiencing actual phenomena. However, simulated or manipulated events do not necessarily represent reality; the truth learned in a laboratory does not necessarily translate into truth in the real world.