You are socializing with your friends Rolanda and Zackary. Another couple who you don't know, Alyse and Tyn, joins the gathering. You see Rolanda and Zackary discipline their son with a tap on the hand for sticking his fingers in the potato salad and you see Alyse and Tyn discipline their daughter by tapping her bottom for throwing the potato salad. You react with harsher judgment to the punishment by Alyse and Tyn than to the punishment by Rolanda and Zackary. One potential reason for this discrepancy could be:
A) social desirability.
B) observer bias.
C) artificiality.
D) external validity.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Observer bias is likely at play here because your pre-existing relationships with Rolanda and Zackary versus Alyse and Tyn could influence how you perceive and judge their actions. You might be more inclined to view friends' actions in a more favorable light due to your personal connection with them.

You Are Socializing with Your Friends Rolanda and Zackary