In a middle school science lab activity, students are looking at how much water objects of varying sizes and weights displace. Lab partners Jack and Jennifer have just put two equal-size balls-one made of plastic and one made of lead-into separate beakers of water and measured how high the water rose in each one. They've observed that the water rose the same amount in the two beakers. Jack says, "That can't be right. The lead ball should push the water up more because it's heavier." Jennifer responds, "We must have measured wrong. Let's try the experiment again." The two students' reasoning reflects:
A) confirmation bias
B) a substance schema
C) poor visual-spatial ability
D) a nativist view of science development

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Jack and Jennifer's reasoning reflects confirmation bias because they are doubting their results based on their preconceived notions about how weight should affect water displacement, rather than accepting the empirical evidence from their experiment.

In a Middle School Science Lab Activity, Students Are Looking