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Counterbalancing Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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counterbalancing

[ˌkaʊn.təˈbæl.əns.ɪŋ ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

experimental design

The process of arranging the order in which different conditions are presented to participants in a research study to eliminate any potential order effects.

Synonyms

arranging, reordering, shuffling.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
counterbalancing

Used when you want to talk about something that offsets or balances the effect of another.

  • The company is counterbalancing its losses in the European market with gains in Asia.
  • To prevent any safety issues, the weight of the bridge is counterbalanced by heavy anchors.
arranging

Used when you are setting things in a specific order or position.

  • She spent the morning arranging the flowers in the vase.
  • He is arranging the chairs for the meeting.
reordering

Used when you change the order of things that are already arranged.

  • The librarian is reordering the books to make them easier to find.
  • After receiving feedback, we are reordering the sections of our report.
shuffling

Used when you want to mix things up, often in a random or less orderly way. It can sometimes have a slightly negative or casual connotation.

  • He is shuffling the deck of cards before the game.
  • Due to the recent staff changes, we are shuffling the project teams.

Examples of usage

  • Counterbalancing the presentation order of tasks helps to avoid any bias caused by the sequence.
  • In a counterbalancing design, each participant experiences the conditions in a different order.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • In decision-making, counterbalancing helps reduce bias by ensuring that different conditions are equally represented.
  • It's used in experiments to control for the effects of participant differences, ensuring more reliable results.

Finance

  • Investors often employ counterbalancing strategies by diversifying assets to protect against market volatility.
  • Counterbalancing can involve investing in assets that behave differently under the same economic conditions.

Science

  • In physics, counterbalancing is essential in mechanics, ensuring stability in various applications, from cranes to vehicles.
  • It involves applying equal forces in opposite directions to maintain equilibrium.

Sports

  • Athletes frequently use counterbalancing techniques in training to develop muscle strength evenly, enhancing overall performance.
  • In gymnastics and diving, proper counterbalancing is crucial for executing complex movements safely.

Origin of 'counterbalancing'

Main points about word origin

  • The word combines 'counter', meaning against, and 'balance', from Latin 'bilancia', meaning weight.
  • The concept dates back to ancient practices where physical balance in weights was crucial for trade and daily life.

The term 'counterbalancing' originated in the field of psychology, particularly in experimental research. It was first used in the mid-20th century to describe the practice of systematically varying the order of presentation of stimuli or conditions to control for potential biases. By counterbalancing the sequence in which tasks or conditions are presented, researchers aim to ensure that any effects observed are due to the manipulation being studied rather than the order in which they were experienced.

See also: balance, balanced, balancer, balancing, counterbalance, imbalance, imbalanced, unbalance, unbalanced.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #28,591, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.