Demandcharacteristics_PSPR.pdf (824.65 kB)
Sixty years after Orne’s American Psychologist article: a conceptual framework for subjective experiences elicited by demand characteristics
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-10, 04:18 authored by Olivier Corneille, Peter LushPeter LushStudy participants form beliefs based on cues present in a testing situation (demand characteristics). These beliefs can alter study outcomes (demand effects). Neglecting demand effects can threaten the internal and external validity of studies (including their replication). While demand characteristics garnered much attention following Orne’s introduction of this notion, consideration of their effects has become sparse in experimental reports. Moreover, the concept remains confusing. Here, we introduce a conceptual framework for subjective experiences elicited by demand characteristics. The model distinguishes between participants’ awareness of the hypothesis, their motivation to comply with it, and the strategy they use to meet situational requirements. We stress that demand characteristics can give rise to genuine experiences. To illustrate, we apply the model to Evaluative Conditioning and the Rubber Hand Illusion. In the General Discussion, we discuss risks and opportunities associated with demand characteristics, and we explain that they remain highly relevant to current research.
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Publication status
- Published
File Version
- Accepted version
Journal
Personality and Social Psychology ReviewISSN
1088-8683Publisher
SAGE PublicationsExternal DOI
Event location
United StatesDepartment affiliated with
- Informatics Publications
Full text available
- Yes
Peer reviewed?
- Yes
Legacy Posted Date
2022-07-26First Open Access (FOA) Date
2022-07-26First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date
2022-07-21Usage metrics
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