In a Classic Experiment,psychology Students Were Assigned to Work Either

question 284

Multiple Choice

In a classic experiment,psychology students were assigned to work either with "bright" rats or with "dull" rats,described as such by the experimenter.After a series of tests,the students' results showed that the "bright" rats had outperformed the "dull" rats.However,in fact,all the rats were of the same strain and breed;there were no preexisting differences between the groups.What caused the difference in their performance?

• A)By chance,the rats in one group actually were brighter than those in the other group.
• B)Demand characteristics in the experiment cued the rats about how to perform in the mazes.
• C)The students' expectations about the rats' performance influenced their observations and behaviors.
• D)The students looked at average scores,rather than at each rat's individual score.

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Definitions:

Permanent Change

A lasting transformation that alters the state or condition of something or someone in a significant way.

Learning

The acquisition of knowledge or skills through study, experience, or teaching, which leads to a change in behavior or understanding.

Behaviour

The actions or reactions of individuals, in response to external or internal stimuli, often observed and studied in psychology and sociology.

Classical Conditioning Theory

A conditioning technique where pairing two stimuli repeatedly results in a response, originally provoked by the second stimulus, being evoked by the first stimulus alone.