Demand characteristics
Cues or clues that makes participants aware of the aims of a study or helps participants work
out what the researcher expects to find may alter their behaviour.
Leads to...
Social desirability bias - Participants’ behaviour is distorted as they change this in order to be
seen in a positive light.
Placebo effect - When an improvement of symptoms is observed, despite using a non active
treatment. It’s believed to occur due to psychological factors like expectations. E.g believing the
placebo (sugary tablet) works when it is not the actual treatment.
DEALING WITH IT
Single blind - only participants do not know the true aims of the study
Double blind - Both the participants and the experimenter do not know the true aims of the study
and therefore the experimenter cannot give clues to what they expect.
Cues or clues that makes participants aware of the aims of a study or helps participants work
out what the researcher expects to find may alter their behaviour.
Leads to...
Social desirability bias - Participants’ behaviour is distorted as they change this in order to be
seen in a positive light.
Placebo effect - When an improvement of symptoms is observed, despite using a non active
treatment. It’s believed to occur due to psychological factors like expectations. E.g believing the
placebo (sugary tablet) works when it is not the actual treatment.
DEALING WITH IT
Single blind - only participants do not know the true aims of the study
Double blind - Both the participants and the experimenter do not know the true aims of the study
and therefore the experimenter cannot give clues to what they expect.
