Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 16, 2026
09:03
Post-Movie Subliminal Measurement PMSM, for Investigating Implicit Social Bias
Published on: February 29, 2020
6.2K
Measuring bias in manifestation determination reviews
Kelli R Lahman1, Sean A Lauderdale2, Justin P Allen3
1Department of Psychological, Health, and Learning Sciences, University of Houston.
School Psychology (Washington, D.C.)
|September 29, 2025
Summary
Racial and stigmatizing biases influence manifestation determination reviews (MDRs) for students with disabilities. Findings highlight the need for training to address biases in these high-stakes educational decisions.
Area of Science:
- Educational Psychology
- Special Education Law
- Disability Studies
Background:
- Manifestation Determination Reviews (MDRs) are federally mandated for students with disabilities facing extended removal from school.
- Limited research exists on the impact of biases in MDR decision-making processes.
- These high-stakes decisions carry significant consequences for students with disabilities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate potential racial and stigmatizing biases affecting MDR decisions.
- To examine the relationship between MDR knowledge, perceived student intentionality, and MDR outcomes.
- To identify how school personnel characteristics influence MDR decisions.
Main Methods:
- An online investigation utilized experimental and cross-sectional strategies with 517 school personnel across 105 districts.
- Participants were randomly assigned to read vignettes about Black or White students exhibiting behavioral issues potentially linked to an emotional disability.
- Two newly developed MDR measures assessed knowledge and perceived student intentionality.
Main Results:
- Racial and stigmatizing biases were found to covary with MDR decisions.
- Higher MDR substantive knowledge was linked to manifestation decisions for White students only.
- Perceived student intentionality correlated with nonmanifestation decisions for both racial groups. Black students faced a higher behavioral standard in LEA implementation failure decisions.
- Male personnel favored nonmanifestation decisions and perceived greater student control. Teachers held more negative racial stereotypes.
Conclusions:
- Evidence-based training is crucial for school personnel to identify and mitigate biases in MDRs.
- Assessing team members' knowledge and potential biases before MDRs is recommended.
- Addressing racial and stigmatizing biases is essential for equitable MDR decision-making.
Related Concept Videos
01:22Bias
7.2K
Bias refers to any tendency that prevents a question from being considered unprejudiced. In research, bias occurs when one outcome or answer is selected or encouraged over others in sampling or testing. Bias can occur during any research phase, including study design, data collection, analysis, and publication.
In statistics, a sampling bias is created when a sample is collected from a population, and some members of the population are not as likely to be chosen as others (remember, each member...
In statistics, a sampling bias is created when a sample is collected from a population, and some members of the population are not as likely to be chosen as others (remember, each member...
7.2K
01:29Bias in Epidemiological Studies
1.3K
Biases can arise at various stages of research, from study design and data collection to analysis and interpretation. Recognizing and addressing these biases is essential to ensure the validity and reliability of epidemiological findings.Broadly speaking, biases in epidemiology fall into three main categories: selection bias, information bias, and confounding. A more detailed description of possible biases is:
1.3K
01:27Halo Effect
408
The halo effect is a cognitive bias in which an individual's overall impression influences judgments about their specific traits. This psychological phenomenon leads people to associate positive characteristics with those they perceive as generally good and negative characteristics with those they view as bad. This effect is particularly influential in social perception, professional evaluations, and decision-making processes.The Psychological Basis of the Halo EffectThe halo effect is rooted...
408
01:31Confirmation Biases
7.7K
The confirmation bias is the tendency to focus on information that confirms our existing beliefs and ignore information that is inconsistent with our expectations. For example, if you think that your professor is not very nice, you notice all of the instances of rude behavior exhibited by the professor while ignoring the countless pleasant interactions he is involved in on a daily basis. Have you ever fallen prey to the confirmation bias, either as the source or target of such bias?
7.7K
01:25Motivational Bias
313
Cognitive bias results from limitations in thinking and information processing, leading to systematic errors in judgment. Conversely, motivational bias stems from personal desires or emotions, causing distortions in perception to align with self-interest. Motivational bias influences how individuals perceive and attribute causes to events, often shaped by personal needs, goals, and self-esteem preservation. This bias can distort judgment, leading to inaccurate assessments of success, failure,...
313
01:52Regression Toward the Mean
6.8K
Regression toward the mean (“RTM”) is a phenomenon in which extremely high or low values—for example, and individual’s blood pressure at a particular moment—appear closer to a group’s average upon remeasuring. Although this statistical peculiarity is the result of random error and chance, it has been problematic across various medical, scientific, financial and psychological applications. In particular, RTM, if not taken into account, can interfere when...
6.8K