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It’s a Trap! Instructional Manipulation Checks Prompt Systematic Thinking on “Tricky†Tasks

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  • David J. Hauser
  • Norbert Schwarz

Abstract

Instructional manipulation checks (IMCs) have become popular tools for identifying inattentive participants in online studies. IMCs function by attempting to trick inattentive participants into responding incorrectly. However, from a conversational perspective, question characteristics are part of the researcher’s contribution to the conversation, and IMCs may teach participants that there is “more than meets the eye,†prompting systematic thinking on subsequent tricky-seeming questions in an attempt to avoid being tricked. In two online studies, participants responded to a simple task either before or after completing an IMC. As expected, answering an IMC prior to the task improved performance on items that benefit from increased systematic thinking—namely, the Cognitive Reflection Test (Study 1), and a probabilistic reasoning task (Study 2). We conclude that IMCs change attention rather than merely measure attention and discuss implications for their use in online studies.

Suggested Citation

  • David J. Hauser & Norbert Schwarz, 2015. "It’s a Trap! Instructional Manipulation Checks Prompt Systematic Thinking on “Tricky†Tasks," SAGE Open, , vol. 5(2), pages 21582440155, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:sagope:v:5:y:2015:i:2:p:2158244015584617
    DOI: 10.1177/2158244015584617
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    1. repec:cup:judgdm:v:5:y:2010:i:5:p:411-419 is not listed on IDEAS
    2. Adam J. Berinsky & Michele F. Margolis & Michael W. Sances, 2014. "Separating the Shirkers from the Workers? Making Sure Respondents Pay Attention on Self‐Administered Surveys," American Journal of Political Science, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 58(3), pages 739-753, July.
    3. Shane Frederick, 2005. "Cognitive Reflection and Decision Making," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 19(4), pages 25-42, Fall.
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    1. Eugene Y. Chan & Jack Lin, 2022. "Political ideology and psychological reactance: how serious should climate change be?," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 172(1), pages 1-22, May.

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