Demand Characteristics

After reading chapter 1, especially the section on "demand characteristics," pay attention to your behavior over several days. Note instances where you find yourself acting in a way that is influenced by the "demand characteristics" of the situation-that is, where you believe that you are acting in a way called for by the situation that is different than you would otherwise behave. [Alternatively, you can do this exercise based on memories of previous behaviors.] An example is changing the amount of alcohol consumed to fit in with peer expectations, or acting more conservatively when in the presence of family members. State the behavior you noted. Then answer these questions:

Why do you feel that your behavior was changed by the situation in this instance? How have you behaved in other situations? What specifically was it about this situation that changed your behavior? Was your behavior motivated at all by the need for accuracy or by the need for self-esteem?