Dr. Mentor is conducting an experiment examining the effects of cell phone conversations on reaction times while driving a car. Each participant, either conversing on a cell phone or not, maneuvers a driving course on a simulator. This simulated drive is videotaped. The research assistant hired to do the coding of the video tapes does not believe cell phone use should be banned while driving a motor vehicle and tends to err in the coding of the reaction times in a way that favours this belief. This experimenter expectancy effect could be controlled by
A)the double-blind procedure
B)counterbalancing
C)the placebo effect
D)improved external validity

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The double-blind procedure can control for experimenter expectancy effects by ensuring that neither the participants nor the research assistant coding the video tapes knows who is in the cell phone or no cell phone condition, thus reducing bias in the coding of reaction times.

Dr Mentor Is Conducting an Experiment Examining the Effects of Cell