demand characteristics vs social desirability bias?

[br2pi5]

having a hard time figuring out the difference between these two, it seems that both have something to do with "you change your behavior based on what you THINK the experimenter is trying to accomplish"?

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[NextStepTutor_1]

Hi @br2pi5 -

These are definitely similar concepts, but there are a couple differences to note. The first is that the concept of demand characteristics has to do with subjects figuring out what the experimenter wants (or what they think the experimenter wants), not necessarily w/ broader social/cultural perceptions. Instead, social desirability bias has to do with perceptions of generally acceptable vs. stigmatized behavior/attitudes. Another way of thinking about this is that the point of demand characteristics is for the subject to "help" accomplish the goal of the experiment (although generally unconsciously), whereas the point of social desirability bias is for the subject to come off in a better light (although again, generally unconsciously, and even in anonymous settings -- perhaps due to internalized shame/stigma, etc.).

The second major difference is that social desirability bias is generally associated specifically w/ responses to questionnaires, whereas demand characteristics can reflect any aspect of the behavior involved in an experiment.

 

[br2pi5]

Hi @br2pi5 -

These are definitely similar concepts, but there are a couple differences to note. The first is that the concept of demand characteristics has to do with subjects figuring out what the experimenter wants (or what they think the experimenter wants), not necessarily w/ broader social/cultural perceptions. Instead, social desirability bias has to do with perceptions of generally acceptable vs. stigmatized behavior/attitudes. Another way of thinking about this is that the point of demand characteristics is for the subject to "help" accomplish the goal of the experiment (although generally unconsciously), whereas the point of social desirability bias is for the subject to come off in a better light (although again, generally unconsciously, and even in anonymous settings -- perhaps due to internalized shame/stigma, etc.).

The second major difference is that social desirability bias is generally associated specifically w/ responses to questionnaires, whereas demand characteristics can reflect any aspect of the behavior involved in an experiment.

Thank you, makes a lot more sense now!!