Placebo Effect and guns?

[joshs]

We've used the term "honeymoon period" to refer to this in a couple of discussions about changing guns on the forum. I think you could easily replace "honeymoon period" with "placebo effect".

[Drang]

Drill Sergeant Dailey gave me this magic feather...

[Sensei]

It is often observed here on PF that the new gun effect may create heightened focus that results in seemingly better measured performance also. Yet may plane out over time. I would think this too might be grouped into a placebo effect even though initial metrics seem to justify the first impression.

I've seen more than one new shooter get the sophomore slump in subsequent trips to shoot after the hyper focus on fundamentals wears off.

It sounds like you are describing in layman's terms what is called a Hawthorne Effect. Basically, it means that study subjects alter their behavior because of the study. This is a major reason why we include control arms in prospective studies.

http://psychology.about.com/od/hinde...f_hawthorn.htm

Assuming that you do not think about research bias on a daily basis, your example of hyperfocus on fundamentals is an astute example of the Hawthorne Effect - very impressive.