How Did Researcher Robert Rosenthal Construct an Experiment to Test

question 80

Multiple Choice

How did researcher Robert Rosenthal construct an experiment to test the influence of teacher expectations on student performance?

• A) He chose random students who were equal in intelligence and told the teacher the students were advanced, then compared their improvement to unlabeled students.
• B) Students of equal intelligence were randomly assigned to either advanced or lower level classes for a year, and their performance was compared.
• C) The improvement of highly capable students from a baseline was compared to the improvement shows by students thought to have less academic capability.
• D) He compared the improvement of students with highly qualified teachers to the improvement of students with first year teachers.

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Definitions:

Cognitive Theories

Theoretical perspectives that emphasize mental processes such as thinking, memory, perception, and problem-solving as central to understanding behavior.

Rational Social Theories

Theories that assume individuals act based on logical calculations to maximize benefits and minimize costs in social situations.

Reasoned Action

A theory focusing on how individuals' intentions to engage in a behavior are influenced by their attitudes towards the behavior and their perceptions of social norms.

Molar Behavior

A perspective in behavioral science that considers behaviors in large units that have meaningful outcomes or goals, rather than focusing on isolated actions.