Essay

Describe the study by Schwarz and colleagues (1991) that tested competing theories of self-judgment. In your description, identify the two conflicting theories being compared, the specific task participants were asked to perform, and the final results that supported one theory over the other.

Question: Describe the study by Schwarz and colleagues (1991) that tested competing theories of self-judgment. In your description, identify the two conflicting theories being compared, the specific task participants were asked to perform, and the final results that supported one theory over the other.

Sample answer: The study by Schwarz and colleagues compared the number-of-examples theory and the ease-of-retrieval theory. Participants were asked to recall either 66 (an easy task) or 1212 (a difficult task) examples of their own assertive behavior, and then rated their own assertiveness. The researchers found that participants who recalled 66 examples rated themselves as more assertive than those who recalled 1212 examples. This result supported the ease-of-retrieval theory over the number-of-examples theory because recalling fewer examples was subjectively easier.

Key points:

  • Identifies number-of-examples theory and ease-of-retrieval theory as the two competing theories.
  • Describes the task of recalling either 66 (easy) or 1212 (difficult) examples of assertiveness.
  • States that participants recalling 66 examples judged themselves as more assertive than those recalling 1212.
  • Explains that the results supported the ease-of-retrieval theory because recalling fewer examples was easier.

Rubric: To receive full credit, the response must identify both competing theories (number-of-examples vs. ease-of-retrieval), outline the experimental task of recalling 66 vs. 1212 examples of assertiveness, and state the outcome where recalling fewer examples led to higher assertiveness ratings.

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Updated 2026-05-27

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Research Methods in Psychology - 4th American Edition @ KPU

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