Question

Dr. Jones wants to test the hypothesis that being with one's own in-group (as opposed to being in the company of out-group members) increases the likelihood that one will express having racial prejudices. To test this hypothesis, Dr. Jones interviews White participants in the presence of White confederates and Black participants in the presence of Hispanic confederates. In conducting this study, Dr. Jones has inadvertently introduced a confounding variable into his study. What is it? a. Participant race b. Confederate race c. Experimenter race d. There are no confounds in this study

Short answer

The confound is b: Confederate race.

Step-by-step solution

Understand Key Concepts

A confounding variable is one that influences both the independent variable and the dependent variable, potentially misleading the outcomes of a study.

Identify the Variables

In Dr. Jones's study, the key variables include the race of the participants, the race of the confederates, and the expression of racial prejudices.

Determine Potential Confounds

Analyze the study design for any elements that might influence the outcome. Here, the participant race and confederate race are potential confounding variables.

Evaluate the Role of Confederate Race

Since White participants are matched with White confederates, and Black participants are matched with Hispanic confederates, the race of the confederates might inadvertently influence the participants' expression of racial prejudice.

Compare Options

Evaluate each option presented: - a: Participant race - is consistent in expressing racial bias. - b: Confederate race - varies parallel to participant race, introducing a possible confound. - c: Experimenter race - not mentioned. - d: No confounds - we have identified potential ones. The most likely confound is the race of the confederates.

Key concepts

Racial Prejudice

Racial prejudice refers to negative attitudes or biases against individuals based on their race or ethnicity. Such prejudices are often unjust and are based on stereotypes rather than actual interactions with individuals of different racial backgrounds. People may hold prejudices due to upbringing, societal influences, or personal experiences which shape their view of others.
Racial prejudice can manifest in many ways, including beliefs, behaviors, and policies that foster discrimination. In research studies like the one conducted by Dr. Jones, understanding racial prejudice is crucial, as it can affect the validity of results. When measuring racial prejudice, it’s important to control for confounding variables that could skew data, such as the racial composition of those involved in the study.
Dr. Jones's hypothesis revolves around whether being around others similar to oneself (the in-group) affects the expression of racial prejudices towards an out-group. Accurately distinguishing between prejudice expressed due to group dynamics and that influenced by external confounding factors is key for valid conclusions.

In-group Bias

In-group bias is a social phenomenon where individuals favor members of their own group over those from other groups. This favoritism can manifest through preferential treatment, more positive evaluations, or more forgiving attitudes towards actions taken by in-group members.
When considering Dr. Jones's study, in-group bias plays a central role. The hypothesis suggests that individuals might express increased prejudice when among in-group members. This occurs because people often seek validation from peers who share their identity, resulting in reinforced prejudices.
Understanding the dynamics of in-group bias is essential for drawing accurate conclusions in studies related to social behaviors and prejudices. Knowing that individuals might unconsciously alter their behavior to align with perceived group norms helps researchers design better experiments, where such influences are accounted for.

Experimental Design

Experimental design involves planning a research study to ensure reliable and valid results. It requires thoughtful consideration of variables, group selection, and conditions under which the study is conducted. A key part of experimental design is identifying and controlling for confounding variables, which can obscure the relationships between the independent and dependent variables.
In Dr. Jones’s experiment, the differing races of confederates for the two participant groups serves as a confounding variable. An effective experimental design should ensure that the race of confederates does not vary systematically with participant race, as it does here. By controlling such variables, researchers can isolate the true effect of the independent variable on the dependent variable.
To improve the design of Dr. Jones’s study, it would be helpful to have consistent confederate races for all groups or to rotate confederate races systematically between test conditions. Successfully managing these design elements minimizes bias and enhances the clarity of the study's findings, leading to more robust conclusions about in-group dynamics and racial prejudice.