The experimental contract: Subjects' expectations of and reactions to some behaviors of experimenters

Hypothesized that experimental situations are role relationships in which Ss and Es hold sets of expectations about one another that constitute an implicit contract between them. In a series of 3 studies with 245 male and 184 female college students, it was found that Ss could articulate some of the clauses of this contract and that they had a repertoire of negative sanctions for violations of the agreement. The strength of Ss' expectations as well as the legitimacy and desirability of the E's behaviors were assessed. Ss exhibited general agreement about disliking violations of those clauses of the contract which were related to the E's professionalism. Results also demonstrate that when a violation is perceived, performance changes may occur even without deliberate retaliatory action on the part of the S.