Bogus pipeline

Definition

The bogus pipeline is a research technique used in social psychology to measure attitudes and beliefs more accurately by convincing participants that their true responses can be detected through a lie detector. This method is designed to reduce social desirability bias, where individuals may alter their answers to conform to social norms or expectations. By creating a sense of accountability, it encourages participants to express their genuine opinions and attitudes.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The bogus pipeline was first introduced in the 1970s as a way to improve the accuracy of self-reported data.
2. By making participants believe they are being monitored by a lie detector, the bogus pipeline technique reduces the likelihood of socially desirable responses.
3. This method is particularly useful in sensitive topics such as substance use, sexual behavior, and political attitudes where people may feel pressured to conform.
4. Research has shown that the bogus pipeline can lead to more honest and revealing responses compared to traditional self-report methods.
5. While effective in some contexts, the bogus pipeline relies on deception, raising ethical considerations about its use in research.

Review Questions

• How does the bogus pipeline method help in minimizing social desirability bias during attitude measurement?
  • The bogus pipeline method minimizes social desirability bias by creating a situation where participants believe their true responses can be accurately detected. This belief encourages them to answer honestly rather than conforming to perceived societal expectations. By reducing the pressure to present themselves favorably, researchers are able to obtain more accurate data about sensitive topics.
• Discuss the ethical implications of using the bogus pipeline technique in research studies.
  • Using the bogus pipeline technique raises significant ethical concerns since it involves deceiving participants into thinking they are being monitored for honesty. This deception can undermine trust between researchers and subjects and may lead to distress if participants feel manipulated. Researchers must carefully weigh the potential benefits of obtaining more accurate data against the ethical responsibility to respect participant autonomy and informed consent.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the bogus pipeline compared to traditional self-report measures in capturing true attitudes and beliefs.
  • The effectiveness of the bogus pipeline compared to traditional self-report measures is generally seen as superior in contexts involving sensitive subjects. Research indicates that individuals tend to provide more truthful responses when they believe they cannot hide behind socially acceptable answers due to perceived monitoring. While traditional self-report methods often suffer from biases, the bogus pipeline can capture deeper insights into personal attitudes and beliefs, making it a valuable tool in psychology despite its ethical concerns.

Related terms

Social Desirability Bias: A tendency for survey respondents to provide answers that they believe will be viewed favorably by others, often leading to inaccurate data.

Attitude Measurement: The process of assessing an individual's evaluations, feelings, and tendencies towards an object, person, or idea through various methods.

Self-Report Measures: Surveys or questionnaires where individuals report their own attitudes, beliefs, or behaviors, which can be influenced by biases.