The mere-measurement effect is a phenomenon used in behavioural psychology. It explains that merely measuring or questioning an individual's intentions or anticipated regret changes his or her subsequent behavior. The mere-measurement effect has been demonstrated in multiple behavioural contexts both general and specific.
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Mere-measurement effect. The mere-measurement effect is a phenomenon used in behavioural psychology. It explains that merely measuring or questioning an individual's intentions or anticipated regret changes his or her subsequent behavior. The mere-measurement effect has been demonstrated in multiple behavioural contexts both general and specific.
In 2008, Gaston Godin, Paschal Sheeran, Mark T Conner and Marc Germain in their article – Asking Questions Changes Behavior: Mere Measurement Effects on Frequency of Blood Donation demonstrated that completing a survey on the topic of blood donation increased the likelihood of a respondent to donate blood.
In 1987 , he demonstrated that students who were asked about their voting intentions were more likely to vote in elections than those who were not asked. Both Sherman and Greenwald showcase the effect predictions have on one’s thoughts about performing the actual behaviour and the behaviour itself.
In 2011, God in, Ariane Bélanger-Gravel, Steve Amireault, Marie-Claude Vohl, and Louis Pérusse showcased that completing a survey on participant's cognition towards leisurely and physical activity. The found that higher levels of physical activity was observed in participants that completed the questionnaire as opposed to participants that didn't.
Apart from purchasing behaviour, Morwtiz has demonstrated the effect in other behaviours. For instance, in the context of survey validity and the behaviour of survey respondents, the mere act of formulating a way to report an answer to a survey question can influence a respondent’s actual response.
In Does Measuring Intent Change Behaviour? Morwitz et al outlines two main explanations behind this effect. Firstly, answering one’s question on behavioural intention would increase accessibility towards their own attitude. Therefore, their subsequent behaviour will be more in line with the attitude driving it. Secondly, answering one’s intention question will cause one to carry out heavy cognitive work which may lead to an attitude and intention change, and finally a behavioural change. These are the two basic explanations of the mere-measurement effect and can be applied to multiple behavioural contexts.