Which type of effect is linked to the reactivity of participants in research?

The correct choice highlights the concept of social desirability bias, which refers to the tendency of individuals to respond to survey questions or participate in research in a manner that they believe is socially acceptable or favorable. This bias can lead to participants altering their responses to align with what they think will be viewed positively by others or to avoid negative judgment.

In research contexts, when participants feel that their true feelings or behaviors may not align with societal norms, they might consciously or unconsciously modify their answers. This can result in skewed data, making it challenging to obtain a genuinely accurate representation of their attitudes or behaviors. This effect is particularly important in psychological research, where personal beliefs and behaviors are often studied.

Understanding social desirability bias is crucial for researchers to mitigate its impact, for instance by ensuring confidentiality and anonymity or by employing indirect questioning techniques. By recognizing this bias, researchers can better design studies and interpret data while accounting for the potential distortions caused by participants' desire to conform to social expectations.