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Rosenthal effect

the situation in which an investigator’s expectations about the outcome of a given study unwittingly affect the actual study outcome. A researcher may use blinds to prevent the Rosenthal effect from occurring and biasing study results. This term is often used synonymously with experimenter expectancy effect and self-fulfilling prophecy. See also demand characteristics. [Robert Rosenthal (1933–  ), U.S. psychologist]

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Psychology term of the day

November 28th 2024

cocaine withdrawal

cocaine withdrawal

in DSM–IV–TR, a characteristic withdrawal syndrome that develops after cessation of (or reduction in) prolonged, heavy consumption of cocaine. The essential characteristic is depressed mood, sometimes severe, and there may also be fatigue, disturbed sleep, increased appetite, vivid and unpleasant dreams, or psychomotor retardation or agitation, or all of these features. Marked withdrawal symptoms (see crash) often follow an episode of intense, high-dose use. The equivalent term in DSM–5 is stimulant withdrawal. See also substance withdrawal.