Biases in Psychology

Question 1

Researcher Bias

Answer 1

• When a researcher’s beliefs or expectations influence the research design or analysis of data / data collecting process
• (e.g, researchers knows they are analysing the MRI scans of a football player, therefore, they are biased to believing that their brain may be different from that of a non-football player, even though this may not be the case)

Question 2

Demand characteristics

Answer 2

• When a participant changes their behaviour after understanding the aim of the experiment/what the researcher wants

Question 3

Response Bias

Answer 3

• When participants systematically respond in a certain way
• (e.g, in answering a multiple choice question, they always choose the middle option)

Question 4

Social Desirability bias

Answer 4

• Participants behave in a manner which they believe is socially acceptable instead of their actual wants