ceiling effect

a situation in which the majority of values obtained for a variable approach the upper limit of the scale used in its measurement. For example, a test whose items are too easy for those taking it would show a ceiling effect because most people would achieve or be close to the highest possible score. In other words, the test scores would exhibit skewness and have little variance, thus prohibiting meaningful analysis of the results. Compare floor effect.

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Psychology term of the day

February 11th 2025

cognitive complexity

the state or quality of a thought process that involves numerous constructs, with many interrelationships among them. Such processing is often experienced as difficult or effortful. See also conceptual complexity.