Biases in Psychological Research
Definition
Bias
A systematic error that skews results in a particular direction.
- Biases in psychological research can affect the validity and reliability of findings.
- Understanding these biases helps researchers design better studies and interpret results more accurately.
Researcher Bias
- Researcher bias occurs when the expectations or beliefs of the researcher influence the study's outcome.
Example: In Rosenthal and Fode's (1963) study, researchers were told they had either "maze-bright" or "maze-dull" rats. The researchers' expectations influenced how they handled the rats, leading to differences in performance.
AnalogyImagine a referee who subconsciously favors one team, making calls that benefit them.
Participant Bias
- Participant bias arises when participants alter their behavior based on their perceptions of the study.
- Demand characteristics are cues that lead participants to guess the study's purpose and change their behavior accordingly.
- Social desirability bias occurs when participants respond in a way they believe is socially acceptable rather than truthful.
- In Milgram's obedience study, some participants may have acted differently if they guessed the true purpose of the experiment.
- This represents demand characteristics.
- In surveys about smoking or drinking, participants might underreport their habits to appear healthier.
- This represents social desirability bias.
Sampling Bias
- Sampling bias happens when the sample is not representative of the target population.
- If a study on stress only includes college students, the findings may not generalize to other age groups.
