Effects of Subject, Experimenter and Task Variables on Compliance with the Experimenter's Expectation

Summary

Under three different ambiguity conditions, 72 persons classified as “Orals” and 72 classified as “Anals” on the Blacky Test estimated the number of dots flashed tachistoscopically. Three expectation conditions (Overestimation Expectancies, Underestimation Expectancies, and No Expectancies) were given under two involvement conditions by male and female Es. Female Orals were the most compliant Ss. Female Es elicited more compliance than male Es, and there was a trend for female Ss to be more compliant than male Ss. Females complied with all Es whereas males complied with female Es but not with male Es. These effects were greatest in the high ambiguity condition. No difference was found between Ss' behavior under the two involvement conditions. Ss' reported compliance was also analyzed.