Observer-Expectancy Effect

“The observer expectation effect (also called the experimenter expectation effect, expectation bias, observer effect, or experimenter effect) is a form of reactivity in which the researcher’s cognitive bias causes them to subconsciously influence the participants in the experiment. Observer – The expectation effect (also called the experimenter expectation effect, systematic expectation, observer effect, or experimenter effect) is a form of reactivity in which the researcher’s cognitive bias causes them to unconsciously influence the participants in the experiment. the participant about the nature of the study, as well as about the confirmatory bias, when the researcher collects and interprets data in such a way as to confirm his hypothesis and ignore information that contradicts it. [Sources: 2, 3, 11]

In an experiment, the observer expectation effect is manifested in the fact that the researcher (the person conducting the experiment) unconsciously influences the participants in the experiment or misinterprets the results in order to agree with the result that the researcher originally hoped to see. The observer expectation effect in science is a cognitive error that occurs when a researcher expects a certain outcome and then unconsciously manipulates an experiment or misinterprets the data to find it. In the so-called observer expectation effect, the experimenter can subtly communicate his expectations about the research outcome to the participants, causing them to change their behavior to match those expectations. [Sources: 1, 5, 11]

Outside of the experimental setting, the observer expectation effect can occur whenever a person’s preconceived notions about a given situation influence his behavior in relation to that situation. “An example of the observer expectation effect is shown in musical disguise, where latent verbal messages are said to be heard when the recording is played backwards. Such observer distortion effects are almost universal in interpreting expected human data and when there are imperfect cultural and methodological norms that promote or enforce objectivity … [Sources: 2, 5, 11]

This can lead the experimenter to draw the wrong conclusions about the test in favor of his hypothesis, regardless of the data or results. Observer bias (also called experimenter bias or search bias) is the tendency to see what we expect to see or what we want to see. Research investigating these issues shows that while there are individual differences that mitigate the impact on expectations, such as self-esteem, gender, and cognitive rigidity, situational factors emerge, such as the relative strength of who is perceiving and targeting, and how long they have been known. … be more important predictors of the impact on expectations. For example, the knowledge that experimenters’ expectations can inadvertently influence their results has led to significant improvements in the way researchers design and conduct experiments in psychology and other fields such as medicine. [Sources: 8, 9, 12]

For example, the researchers compared the performance of two groups that were given the same task (scored portraits and rated the success of each person on a scale of -10 to 10), but with different expectations from the experimenter. Subsequent studies have shown that the effect in such experiments is due to subtle differences in how experimenters treat animals. Rosenthal showed that experimenters can sometimes get their results in part because their expectations prompted them to relate in part to their experimental participants, inducing the intended behavior. The influence on expectation (halo, illusory correlation, suggestion) can influence the categorization of the diagnostic criterion through (1) information obtained before the interview; (2) information previously disclosed or in connection with a categorization decision during the interview; or (3) through theoretical expectations. [Sources: 2, 10, 12, 13]

The expectation effect occurs when one perceiver’s misconception about another person, a goal, causes the perceiver to act in such a way as to induce the expected behavior of the target. If the latter is consistent, for example, the expected effects are in the expected direction, but if they do not coincide, clinicians’ judgments are biased in the opposite direction of the information provided (Lange et al., 1991). Recent research has also shown that, for example, labeling or influence on expectations can affect the general attitude of doctors towards the client, as well as the nature of the approach to treatment recommendations, even if the source of the assumption is not prestigious (Lange, Beurs, Hanewald and Koppelaar, 1991 ). Your actions may show each group your expectations of how well they should perform, and the treatment group may respond by increasing their stress on exercise tests, while the control group may become frustrated and less committed than usual to exercise tests. load. [Sources: 5, 12, 13]

Suggestion effects are related phenomena that can occur in a clinical diagnosis where a previously encountered or suspected label (e.g., diagnosis) affects perception and diagnosis, and possibly the attitude and behavior of clinicians towards a patient. The longer people know each other, the less likely it is that earnings are formed or are influenced by erroneous expectations. Typically, in psychological research, the characteristics of demand are subtle clues from the experimenter that can give the participants an idea of ​​the subject of the research. Of course, demand characteristics cannot be completely ruled out, but their impact can be minimized. [Sources: 3, 12, 13]

Some people want to hear the hidden message when flipping the song, and then hear the message, but to others, it sounds nothing more than a random sound. [Sources: 0]

A well-known example of observer bias is the work of Cyril Burt, a psychologist known for his work on IQ genetics. SPOPE theme Because they want to participate and be overwhelmed by the aura of scientific inquiry, research participants can do whatever they need to do. In other words, they approach the table with conscious or unconscious bias. [Sources: 6, 8]

The exchange of information is not necessarily persuasive, because the facts must be explained in a certain way before they can be used to persuade another person to reach a certain conclusion. Persuasion is his verbal communication category, unlike any other category. [Sources: 2]

— Slimane Zouggari

 

 

##### Sources #####

[0]: http://www.artandpopularculture.com/Observer-expectancy_effect

[1]: https://psychology.fandom.com/wiki/Experimenter_effect

[2]: https://wunschlaw.com/2018/01/21/verbal-persuasion-observer-expectancy-effect/

[3]: https://thedecisionlab.com/biases/observer-expectancy-effect/

[4]: https://www.scribbr.com/frequently-asked-questions/what-is-observer-expectancy-effect/

[5]: https://academy4sc.org/video/observer-expectancy-effect-from-the-outside-looking-in/

[6]: https://methods.sagepub.com/reference/encyc-of-research-design/n142.xml

[7]: https://www.alleydog.com/glossary/definition.php?term=Observer-Expectancy+Effect

[8]: https://www.statisticshowto.com/observer-bias/

[9]: https://www.brooksbell.com/resource/blog/clickipedia-observer-expectancy-effect/

[10]: https://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/oi/authority.20110803095805141

[11]: https://wiki2.org/en/Observer-expectancy_effect

[12]: http://psychology.iresearchnet.com/social-psychology/social-cognition/expectancy-effect/

[13]: https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/psychology/expectancy-effect