the false consensus effect :: essays research papers

Research Demonstration The False Consensus EffectIn science, we emphasize systematic, wide-awake observation as a key tooercoming the limits of other methods of acquiring knowledge. That is, we blaspheme systematic observation more than we trust our own intuition. We canin truth investigate this issue. The chase description provides you withthe details necessary to conduct a simple study to investigate the accuracy ofhuman intuitions.We much call back that others atomic number 18 more like ourselves than they really are. Thus, ourpredictions some others beliefs or behaviors, base on casual observation, are very likelyto err in the direction of our own beliefs or behavior. For example, college students whopreferred brown bread estimated that over 50% of all other college students preferredbrown bread, while white bread eaters estimated more accurately that 37% showed brownbread preference (Ross, Greene, & House, 1977). This is cognize as the false consensuseffect (Ross et al. , 1977 Mullen, Atkins, Champion, Edwards, Hardy, Story, & Vanderlok,1985). The false consensus effect provides the basis for the following demonstration, whichemphasizes the need for systematic rather than casual observation.You can use the stigmatize of six questions, below, to investigate this. Before describing the falseconsensus effect, have friends, roommates or classmates (other classes, not PSY250)answer the questions listed below. Next, have students predict the UB undergraduatemean for each question. turn back a degrade of the responses for each person who fictitious charactericipates.According to the false consensus effect, students predictions about the UB mean should beinfluenced by their own office staffs. Consequently, a student whose position is below the UBmean is likely to make a prediction that result be below the UB mean as well.There are honest constraints on the use of human participants that you must follow if youwish to turn up this with people.1. Do n ot collect any identifying information on your participants. The answers tothese questions should be anonymous. Even though you may know the person, do NOTrecord any identifying information.2. When you ask someone to participate, explain the basic nature of the study. You indispensability to ask people how often they do certain things, like laundry, and how often they thinkother UB undergrads do these same things. You are doing this as part of a class on learningthe scientific method. If they participate, they will be asked to answer six questions aboutthemselves and other UB undergraduates. They can choose not to answer any question.Tell your prospective participant that all answers are anonymous and no informationidentifying them is being recorded.3.