The Prevalence and Prevention of Crosstalk: A Multi-Institutional Study
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
5-4-2014
Description
It is a common problem in psychology subject pools for past study participants to inform future participants of key experimental details (also known as crosstalk). Previous research (Edlund, Sagarin, Skowronski, Johnson, & Kutter, 2009) demonstrated that a combined classroom and laboratory treatment could significantly reduce crosstalk. The present investigation tested a laboratory-only treatment for the prevention of crosstalk at five universities, along with institutional-level moderators of crosstalk. Results indicated the presence of crosstalk at all universities and that the laboratory-based treatment was effective in reducing crosstalk. Importantly, crosstalk rates were higher (but successfully neutralized) in research pools with higher research credit requirements. Therefore, this research provides valuable guidance regarding crosstalk prevalence and its minimization by researchers.
Citation Information
Edlund, John E.; Nichols, Austin Lee; Okdie, Bradley M.; Guadagno, Rosanna E.; Eno, Cassie A.; Heider, Jeremy D.; Hansen, Edward J.; Sagarin, Brad J.; Blackhart, Ginette; Cottrell, Catherine A.; and Wilcox, Kenneth Tyler. 2014. The Prevalence and Prevention of Crosstalk: A Multi-Institutional Study. Journal of Social Psychology. Vol.154(3). 181-185. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224545.2013.872596 PMID: 24873021 ISSN: 0022-4545