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The Journal of Social Psychology Publication details, including instructions for authors and subscription information: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/vsoc20
Demand Characteristics and Disclosure Reciprocity a
a
Valerian J. Derlega , Alan L. Chaikin & James Herndon
a
a
Old Dominion University Published online: 30 Jun 2010.
To cite this article: Valerian J. Derlega , Alan L. Chaikin & James Herndon (1975) Demand Characteristics and Disclosure Reciprocity, The Journal of Social Psychology, 97:2, 301-302, DOI: 10.1080/00224545.1975.9923355 To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00224545.1975.9923355
PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR ARTICLE Taylor & Francis makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of all the information (the “Content”) contained in the publications on our platform. However, Taylor & Francis, our agents, and our licensors make no representations or warranties whatsoever as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability for any purpose of the Content. Any opinions and views expressed in this publication are the opinions and views of the authors, and are not the views of or endorsed by Taylor & Francis. The accuracy of the Content should not be relied upon and should be independently verified with primary sources of information. Taylor and Francis shall not be liable for any losses, actions, claims, proceedings, demands, costs, expenses, damages, and other liabilities whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with, in relation to or arising out of the use of the Content.
Downloaded by [University of Toronto Libraries] at 01:43 07 January 2015
This article may be used for research, teaching, and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, redistribution, reselling, loan, sub-licensing, systematic supply, or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found at http://www.tandfonline.com/page/terms-and-conditions
The Journal of Social Psychology, 1975, 97, 301-302.
DEMAND CHARACTERISTICS AND DISCLOSURE RECIPROCITY* Old Dominion University
Downloaded by [University of Toronto Libraries] at 01:43 07 January 2015
VALERIAN J. DERLECA,ALANL. CHAIKIN,AND
JAMES
HERNDON
Research’ among college students and Americans in general indicates that intimacy of personal disclosure increases as a function of the intimacy level of disclosure input from an initial discloser. These results are somewhat surprising, since studies of friendship formation find that self-disclosure develops gradually in a relationship? The notion of demand characteristics3 may explain disclosure reciprocity in laboratory experiments. In the typical study Ss enter an ambiguous situation, and the E states that he is investigating such topics as “person perception” or “the sociology of conversation.” Ss are told that they are expected to talk about themselves to either the E or another S. Someone other than the S talks first. Ss may use the cues provided by the other person’s disclosure to guide their own reactions as to what is appropriate behavior. Thus, disclosure reciprocity may represent a laboratory artifact. To test this explanation, an intimacy by demand characteristics interaction was predicted: Ss would reveal more personal information as a function of intimacy input only in a situation which emphasizes the demand characteristics connected with self-disclosure. Sixty female undergraduate students participated in the experiment. They met individually with a female confederate who revealed (in 1% minutes) either superficial (low intimacy) or personal (high intimacy) information about herself. Half of the Ss expected that they would talk about themselves as part of an experiment on impression formation (high demand characteristics) ; the other half had no such information conveyed to them (low demand characteristics). In the low demand characteristics condition, the confederate “spontaneously” revealed intimate or superficial information, while both were waiting for the E to arrive.
* Received in the Editorial Office, Provincetown, Massachusetts, on September 12, 1974. Copyright, 1975, by The Journal Press. 1 Chaikin, A. L., & Derlega, V. J. Self-Disclosure. Morristown, N.J.: General Learning Press, 1974. 2 Altman, I., & Taylor, D. A. Social Penetration. New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston, 1973. a Orne, M. T. On the social psychology of the psychological experiment: With particular reference to demand characteristics and their implications. Amer. Psychol., 1962, 17, 176-183. 301
Downloaded by [University of Toronto Libraries] at 01:43 07 January 2015
302
JOURNAL OF SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY
Two measures of S self-disclosure-an intimacy rating on a nine point scale by two “blind” judges and length of time talking-were obtained by means of a hidden tape recorder. Ss were completely debriefed a t the end of the session. The intimacy input manipulation was effective. Confederate’s intimacy was rated higher in the high (7.734)than the low intimacy (4.967)condition ( F = 61.196, p < .001). Ss talked more intimately in the high (3.731) than in the low intimacy (2.634) condition ( F = 15.565, p < .001). Disclosure was also greater in the high (3.815) than in the low demand characteristics (2.550)condition (F = 20.730,p < .001). Ss talked longer in high (158.833 secs.) than in the low demand characteristics (106.233) condition (F = 11.866,p < .OOl). No other significant effects occurred on this measure. Regardless of the extent Ss thought they might have to talk about themselves, intimacy of self-disclosure increased as a function of intimacy input. The demand characteristics connected with self-disclosure influenced only the overall amount of information which Ss revealed. The absence of a significant intimacy by demand characteristics interaction on the disclosure measures does not support the notion that demand characteristics mediate disclosure reciprocity in laboratory experiments.
Department of Psychology Old Dominion University Norfolk, Virginia 23508
The Journal of Social Psychology Publication details, including instructions for authors and subscription information: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/vsoc20
Demand Characteristics and Disclosure Reciprocity a
a
Valerian J. Derlega , Alan L. Chaikin & James Herndon
a
a
Old Dominion University Published online: 30 Jun 2010.
To cite this article: Valerian J. Derlega , Alan L. Chaikin & James Herndon (1975) Demand Characteristics and Disclosure Reciprocity, The Journal of Social Psychology, 97:2, 301-302, DOI: 10.1080/00224545.1975.9923355 To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00224545.1975.9923355
PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR ARTICLE Taylor & Francis makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of all the information (the “Content”) contained in the publications on our platform. However, Taylor & Francis, our agents, and our licensors make no representations or warranties whatsoever as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability for any purpose of the Content. Any opinions and views expressed in this publication are the opinions and views of the authors, and are not the views of or endorsed by Taylor & Francis. The accuracy of the Content should not be relied upon and should be independently verified with primary sources of information. Taylor and Francis shall not be liable for any losses, actions, claims, proceedings, demands, costs, expenses, damages, and other liabilities whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with, in relation to or arising out of the use of the Content.
Downloaded by [University of Toronto Libraries] at 01:43 07 January 2015
This article may be used for research, teaching, and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, redistribution, reselling, loan, sub-licensing, systematic supply, or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found at http://www.tandfonline.com/page/terms-and-conditions
The Journal of Social Psychology, 1975, 97, 301-302.
DEMAND CHARACTERISTICS AND DISCLOSURE RECIPROCITY* Old Dominion University
Downloaded by [University of Toronto Libraries] at 01:43 07 January 2015
VALERIAN J. DERLECA,ALANL. CHAIKIN,AND
JAMES
HERNDON
Research’ among college students and Americans in general indicates that intimacy of personal disclosure increases as a function of the intimacy level of disclosure input from an initial discloser. These results are somewhat surprising, since studies of friendship formation find that self-disclosure develops gradually in a relationship? The notion of demand characteristics3 may explain disclosure reciprocity in laboratory experiments. In the typical study Ss enter an ambiguous situation, and the E states that he is investigating such topics as “person perception” or “the sociology of conversation.” Ss are told that they are expected to talk about themselves to either the E or another S. Someone other than the S talks first. Ss may use the cues provided by the other person’s disclosure to guide their own reactions as to what is appropriate behavior. Thus, disclosure reciprocity may represent a laboratory artifact. To test this explanation, an intimacy by demand characteristics interaction was predicted: Ss would reveal more personal information as a function of intimacy input only in a situation which emphasizes the demand characteristics connected with self-disclosure. Sixty female undergraduate students participated in the experiment. They met individually with a female confederate who revealed (in 1% minutes) either superficial (low intimacy) or personal (high intimacy) information about herself. Half of the Ss expected that they would talk about themselves as part of an experiment on impression formation (high demand characteristics) ; the other half had no such information conveyed to them (low demand characteristics). In the low demand characteristics condition, the confederate “spontaneously” revealed intimate or superficial information, while both were waiting for the E to arrive.
* Received in the Editorial Office, Provincetown, Massachusetts, on September 12, 1974. Copyright, 1975, by The Journal Press. 1 Chaikin, A. L., & Derlega, V. J. Self-Disclosure. Morristown, N.J.: General Learning Press, 1974. 2 Altman, I., & Taylor, D. A. Social Penetration. New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston, 1973. a Orne, M. T. On the social psychology of the psychological experiment: With particular reference to demand characteristics and their implications. Amer. Psychol., 1962, 17, 176-183. 301
Downloaded by [University of Toronto Libraries] at 01:43 07 January 2015
302
JOURNAL OF SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY
Two measures of S self-disclosure-an intimacy rating on a nine point scale by two “blind” judges and length of time talking-were obtained by means of a hidden tape recorder. Ss were completely debriefed a t the end of the session. The intimacy input manipulation was effective. Confederate’s intimacy was rated higher in the high (7.734)than the low intimacy (4.967)condition ( F = 61.196, p < .001). Ss talked more intimately in the high (3.731) than in the low intimacy (2.634) condition ( F = 15.565, p < .001). Disclosure was also greater in the high (3.815) than in the low demand characteristics (2.550)condition (F = 20.730,p < .001). Ss talked longer in high (158.833 secs.) than in the low demand characteristics (106.233) condition (F = 11.866,p < .OOl). No other significant effects occurred on this measure. Regardless of the extent Ss thought they might have to talk about themselves, intimacy of self-disclosure increased as a function of intimacy input. The demand characteristics connected with self-disclosure influenced only the overall amount of information which Ss revealed. The absence of a significant intimacy by demand characteristics interaction on the disclosure measures does not support the notion that demand characteristics mediate disclosure reciprocity in laboratory experiments.
Department of Psychology Old Dominion University Norfolk, Virginia 23508
