subject bias

the influence that research participants’ knowledge about aspects of the research has on their responses to experimental conditions and manipulations. For example, a participant who knows he or she is in the treatment group as opposed to the control group might behave differently than he or she would otherwise. See demand characteristics.

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Psychology term of the day

February 17th 2025

speculation

1. conjectural thinking that is not necessarily supported by scientifically determined evidence.

2. a loosely supported theory or explanation. —speculative adj.