What was one of the critical limitations identified in Chatard's (2007) study?

The identification of potential demand characteristics affecting responses is a crucial limitation in Chatard's (2007) study because demand characteristics refer to cues in the experimental environment that might influence how participants respond. When participants are aware of what is expected of them or what the study aims to investigate, they may alter their behaviors or answers to align with those expectations. This can lead to biased results, as the data collected may reflect these influenced responses rather than genuine attitudes or behaviors. By acknowledging this limitation, the study highlights concerns about the validity and reliability of the findings, emphasizing the need for careful consideration of how participant awareness and interactions can impact research outcomes.

In contrast, high participation rates of volunteers can enhance the representativeness of the sample, while the use of standardized testing measures generally improves the reliability of assessment tools. A lack of participant awareness of the study’s aims may also mitigate biases, but if participants are influenced by demand characteristics, the fundamental integrity of the responses can still be compromised.