Experimenter-Expectancy Phenomenon: Experience of E, Mechanical vs Manual Stimulus Presentation and IQ vs Success-Failure Judgments

Abstract

50 Es obtained person perception data from 576 Ss. In Phase I, 2 experienced Es obtained IQ and success-failure (SF) judgments from 50 male and 50 female Ss about 10 women whose pictures they viewed. In Phase II, 48 inexperienced Es obtained IQ and SF judgments from 476 female Ss. The independent variables in Phase II were 0 or +5 expectancy, mechanical or manual presentation of picture stimuli, IQ or SF judgments, and order of expectancy inducement. Results showed only a judgment effect, higher ratings for SF than IQ. Questionnaire data showed that Ss whose data were collected by experienced Es felt that SF judgments were easier to make than did Ss whose data were collected by inexperienced Es. They also felt more strongly that SF judgments could be made by looking at a picture of a person, were more confident in their judgments and rated the instructions as clearer.