What term refers to characteristics of an experiment that may inform participants of expected behaviors?

The term that refers to characteristics of an experiment that may inform participants of expected behaviors is demand characteristics. This concept highlights how certain cues or aspects of the experimental setting can lead participants to alter their behavior based on what they believe the researcher expects or desires. For instance, if participants sense that they are being observed for specific outcomes, they may unconsciously adjust their responses to align with perceived expectations, thus potentially skewing the results of the study.

Understanding demand characteristics is crucial in research design, as it underscores the importance of minimizing biases introduced by participants' awareness of the study's aims, which can compromise the validity of the findings. Recognizing this phenomenon allows researchers to better control for these biases, often employing techniques like blinding to maintain the integrity of their results.