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Abstract

This study investigated the effects upon psychomotor behavior of (a) student Es' expectancies about Ss performance created by the investigator, (b) information given those Es by the investigator about whether Ss were performing as expected, and (c) the cautioning of Es against bias. 36 undergraduate males served as Es and 72 undergraduate females were their Ss. Dependent measures were Ss reaction times (RT) to visual stimuli and Es' estimates of the foreperiod between a ready signal and the presentation of the stimulus. Statistical analysis showed that neither RT nor foreperiod estimates were assoicated with expectancy, feedback, or caution. Further analyses revealed that RTs were unrelated to foreperiod distortions. These negative results were discussed in terms of the nature of the situation.

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Experimenter Expectancy Effects in Psychomotor Performance

Abstract

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References