Search the Design+Encyclopedia:

Observer-Expectancy Effect


From Design+Encyclopedia, the free encyclopedia on good design, art, architecture, creativity, engineering and innovation.
353621
Observer-Expectancy Effect

Observer-Expectancy Effect, also known as the experimenter effect, is a cognitive bias that occurs when an observer's expectations or beliefs about a situation or event influence their perception and interpretation of that event. This phenomenon can occur in a variety of contexts, including scientific research, clinical settings, and everyday life. The effect is particularly relevant in research studies, as it can lead to biased or inaccurate results that do not accurately reflect the true behavior being studied. The observer-expectancy effect can be caused by a variety of factors, including the observer's prior beliefs or experiences, the design of the study or experiment, and the observer's level of involvement in the situation. For example, an experimenter who expects a certain outcome may inadvertently influence the behavior of study participants or interpret the results in a way that supports their expectations. To mitigate the observer-expectancy effect, researchers must take steps to minimize bias and ensure that their observations and interpretations are objective and unbiased. This can include blinding the observer to the study hypothesis, using objective measures and standardized procedures, and analyzing data in a systematic and unbiased manner. Overall, the observer-expectancy effect is an important concept to consider in any situation where an observer's expectations or beliefs may influence their perception or interpretation of events. By understanding this phenomenon and taking steps to minimize bias, researchers and observers can ensure that their observations and interpretations are accurate and reliable.

cognitive bias, perception, interpretation, research, accuracy

Patrick Lewis

214107
Observer-Expectancy Effect

The Observer-Expectancy Effect is a cognitive bias where people's expectations can influence the outcomes of an experiment. It means that the people who are running the experiments or observing the results can unintentionally change the outcome by expecting a certain result. This can be a problem because it can make the results of experiments incorrect. For example, if an experimenter believes that a certain type of animal is smarter than another type, then the results of the experiment might be biased in favor of the animal that the experimenter believes is smarter.

Observer-Expectancy Effect, Cognitive Bias, Logical Fallacy, Experimenter Bias.

Thomas Lee

213624
Observer-Expectancy Effect

Observer-Expectancy Effect is a cognitive bias in which an observer's expectations of an event can influence the outcome of that event. This phenomenon is a form of logical fallacy, as the bias of the observer's expectations can lead to a false conclusion. The effect is especially problematic in research studies, as it can lead to results that are not representative of the true behavior being studied. The effect is often seen in experiments in which the observer has some knowledge of the expected outcome, or when the observer is a part of the experiment and is aware of the hypothesis being tested. In order to avoid this bias, researchers must take extra steps to ensure that the observer's expectations do not influence the results of the experiment.

Observer-Expectancy Effect, Cognitive Bias, Logical Fallacy.

Jessica Adams


Observer-Expectancy Effect Definition
Observer-Expectancy Effect on Design+Encyclopedia

We have 216.545 Topics and 472.615 Entries and Observer-Expectancy Effect has 3 entries on Design+Encyclopedia. Design+Encyclopedia is a free encyclopedia, written collaboratively by designers, creators, artists, innovators and architects. Become a contributor and expand our knowledge on Observer-Expectancy Effect today.