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Effect of demand characteristics on heart rate during a behavioral avoidance test
Perceptual and Motor Skills
|February 1, 1977
Summary
Experimental demand significantly increased heart rate in participants during a snake fear study. This effect was specific to physiological responses, not behavioral avoidance or fear ratings.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Physiological Psychology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Understanding the influence of experimental demand on physiological and behavioral measures is crucial in psychological research.
- Previous studies indicate that experimental demand can affect approach behaviors in phobia research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of experimental demand on both physiological responses (heart rate) and behavioral measures (approach behaviors, fear ratings) in individuals with varying levels of snake fear.
- To determine if heart rate is as susceptible to experimental demand as approach behaviors.
Main Methods:
- A 2x2 experimental design was employed with 16 college students.
- Independent variables included two levels of reported snake fearfulness (high/low) and two levels of experimental demand (high/low).
- A behavioral avoidance test was used to measure approach behaviors and fear ratings, alongside heart rate monitoring.
Main Results:
- Subjects receiving high-demand instructions for heart rate increase exhibited significantly higher heart rates compared to those under low-demand conditions.
- Experimental demand did not produce significant effects on approach behaviors or self-reported fear ratings.
- Heart rate during the behavioral avoidance test was found to be susceptible to experimental demand.
Conclusions:
- Experimental demand can influence physiological measures like heart rate, independent of behavioral outcomes in snake fear studies.
- Heart rate is a physiological indicator that, like approach behaviors, can be modulated by experimental demand.
- Researchers should consider the potential impact of experimental demand on physiological measures when designing and interpreting studies on fear and avoidance.