Pygmalion in the Classroom Quiz

Questions and Answers

What was the experiment carried out in a California primary school?

Pupils were given an IQ test, and teachers were told it identified the 20% of pupils likely to 'spurt' in the next year, but the selection was random.

What were two aims of the experiment?

To improve school facilities.

To eliminate disparities in pupil achievement.

To plant particular expectations in teachers' minds. (correct)

To see if teacher expectations influenced pupil performance. (correct)

What was the outcome of the experiment?

Pupils gained an average of eight IQ points, while 'spurters' gained 12 points.

What were some ethical problems associated with the experiment?

Only 'spurters' benefited, while 80% of pupils may have been held back. Signup and view all the answers

What is the reliability of the experiment?

The research design was simple, but differences between school classes made exact replication unlikely. Signup and view all the answers

What is the validity of the experiment?

The claim that teachers' expectations were communicated through interactions lacked observational data to support it. Signup and view all the answers

What was the broader focus of the experiment?

The study was longitudinal, allowing researchers to identify trends over time. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Experiment Overview

Conducted in a California primary school with random selection of pupils.
A fake IQ test was used to create expectations about 20% of pupils, labeled as 'spurters.'

Aims of the Experiment

Intended to instill specific expectations in teachers regarding their pupils.
Aimed to evaluate the impact of teacher expectations on student performance.

Outcomes

Pupils overall increased an average of eight IQ points within eight months.
'Spurters' exhibited a greater gain of 12 IQ points, demonstrating significant effects of expectations.

Ethical Considerations

Only the 'spurters' benefitted from the experiment, potentially hindering the remaining 80% of pupils.
Teacher deception was necessary for the experiment's success, raising ethical concerns.

Reliability Concerns

Simple research design facilitated reporting but made exact replication challenging due to class differences.

Validity Issues

Claims regarding teachers influencing pupils through expectations lacked observational support.
Subsequent studies found no evidence supporting the influence of teacher expectations via classroom interaction.

Longitudinal Study

The experiment's longitudinal design allowed for the identification of trends and changes in pupil performance over time.

Description

Explore the key concepts of Rosenthal and Jacobson's 1968 study, 'Pygmalion in the Classroom'. This quiz focuses on the experiment's objectives, methods, and impacts on students' performance. Test your knowledge about the findings and implications of this influential research.