Which of the following is an example of the phenomenon of "demand characteristics" acting in an experiment?
A) when participants complete the experiment, they are instructed not to tell anyone else about what they have experienced
B) participants in one study report only once, for half an hour, to the research lab, but participants in another study have to report three times, for an hour each time, and resent having to spend so much time
C) participants in a study are drawn from the large Introductory Psychology classes, and students who have already participated pass rumors to others about what the experiment is trying to "prove" and try to determine what the experiment is about from the equipment in the laboratory
D) in one psychology experiment, the researcher does not allow participants to withdraw from the study, even if they do not like the kinds of tasks they are asked to perform

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Demand characteristics refer to cues in an experiment that might inform participants about the purpose of the study or what is expected of them, potentially influencing their behavior. Choice C describes a situation where participants might alter their responses based on their assumptions or information received about the study's goals, which is a classic example of demand characteristics.

Which of the Following Is an Example of the Phenomenon