Participants Were Presented with a Group of Numbers, Such as 2

question 21

Multiple Choice

Participants were presented with a group of numbers, such as 2, 4, 6, and were told that the numbers followed a certain rule. The participants' task was to determine the rule. Sam's hypothesis is this: The second number must be two higher than the first, and the third number must be two higher than the second. To test his hypothesis, Sam asks the experimenter, "Does 14, 16, 18 fit with the rule?" Sam's question:

• A) is consistent with the pattern called confirmation bias
• B) is contrary to the pattern called confirmation bias
• C) may or may not reveal confirmation bias, depending on what the rule actually is
• D) may or may not reveal confirmation bias, depending on how the experimenter answers

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Definitions:

Numerator

The top number in a fraction, representing the number of equal parts being considered, as opposed to the denominator which indicates the total number of parts.

External Validity

The extent to which the results of a study can be generalized or applied to contexts outside the study conditions.

Telephone Surveys

A research method in which data is collected from respondents over the telephone to gather information on various topics.

Observational Study

A study where researchers observe and record behavior or outcomes without intervention to understand relationships between variables.