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Human Behavior Science Fair Project

The Halo Effect

Hard
The Halo Effect | Science Fair Projects | STEM Projects
Have you ever noticed that people seem to give special attention to others when they do something well or when their performance falls short? This experiment will explore the mental process of the Halo Effect, which is a mental shortcut we use to understand others.

Hypothesis

The hypothesis is that the Halo Effect distorts our view of others.

Method & Materials

You will recruit three people who are willing to be videotaped for the experiment. You will videotape each person separately, having them relate a personal experience. The videotape should be 3 minutes long. You will then have the person make a single change in the delivery of the experience. You will then run the experiment with one participant at a time, having them rank the person on a scale of 1-10 for likability. You will then repeat this procedure with the other two videos.
You will need a minimum of 10 participants, 3 subjects willing to be video taped, a video camera or cell phone with a camera, and a data sheet.

Results

The results of the experiment showed that the Halo Effect distorts our view of others. The average likability scores for each video were calculated and it was determined that there was a change in the average likeability rating for video part 1 and video part 2, for each of the three filmed participants.

Why do this project?

This science project is interesting because it explores the mental process of the Halo Effect and how it affects our view of others.

Also Consider

Variations of the experiment could include having the participants rank the person on a scale of 1-10 for trustworthiness or intelligence instead of likability. Another variation could be to have the participants rank the person on a scale of 1-10 for both likability and trustworthiness.

Full project details

You can find additional information and details for this science fair project here. Have fun exploring!

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