Final answer:
Lauren is performing a role that intentionally opposes the expected behavior of a research participant, akin to role performance or a breaching experiment. Her actions may bias the research outcome, highlighting the importance of participant honesty and cooperation in social studies.
Step-by-step explanation:
Lauren is engaging in what is known within sociology as the participant observatory role, but with a twist. Rather than observing and blending in, she is actively attempting to undermine the research by doing the opposite of what the researcher expects. This behavior can be likened to role performance, a concept introduced by sociologist Erving Goffman. He posited that individuals manage their actions and behaviors like actors on a stage, presenting themselves in different ways depending on the context and audience. In Lauren's case, she is performing a role that is contrary to the expected behavior of a research participant, which may influence the study's outcome.
In social research, the response and behavior of participants are crucial for the validity of the study. Lauren's actions could introduce a significant bias to the results, as she is not genuinely participating but rather acting to disrupt. Researchers need to consider such factors when analyzing their data and drawing conclusions. Participant honesty and cooperation are assumed in many studies and play a significant role in obtaining accurate and meaningful results.
However, Lauren's approach also somewhat mirrors the concept of a breaching experiment, a method used by sociologist Harold Garfinkel to test social norms by intentionally breaking them. Although Lauren's motive is different, her behavior inadvertently challenges the normative expectations within the research context.