Researchers who were interested in the effects of alcohol consumption on perceived attractiveness of members of the opposite sex randomly assigned participants to two groups. Each participant in the first group received a fruit flavored drink containing a set amount of alcohol and those in the second group received an identical tasting drink with no alcohol. Next, the participants viewed pictures of members of the opposite sex and rated their attractiveness on a scale of 1 to 10. Why did the researchers include a group that drank a nonalcoholic beverage that tasted identical to the alcoholic beverage?
A) to encourage practice effects
B) to examine expectancy effects
C) to eliminate random assignment
D) to manipulate demand characteristics

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The researchers included a group that drank a nonalcoholic beverage that tasted identical to the alcoholic beverage in order to examine expectancy effects, specifically whether participants rated members of the opposite sex as more attractive when they believed they had consumed alcohol. By providing a control group that received an identical tasting drink with no alcohol, the researchers were able to explore whether any differences in ratings were due to the actual effects of alcohol or participants' expectations about the effects of alcohol.

Researchers Who Were Interested in the Effects of Alcohol Consumption