asking a leading question affects the answer, doesn't it?

Answer 1

Only sometimes.

Some of us don't like to be lead.

Answer 2

Simple answer..."DUH!"
More complex answer: Carl Gustav Jung found out, when doing experiments on Astrology, that his OWN wants, goals, needs and desires affected the outcome of the experiment...leading to a bias which has absolutely positive on the first phase, absolutely negative on the second phase and absolutely random on the third phase because he, the experimenter, was positive it would give good results in the first phase, was pessimistic in the second phase and confused by the third phase. The whole gist of the experiment taught him one thing: that even the observer is a part of the environment and affects each and every experiment. (think about how stupid and artificial people act when they know they are on TV...or how children act up and get noisy when they know others are watching them.)
Now, to overcome this bias, even an unconnscious one, requires a double-blind system...asking multiple questions in the search of a response, both leading in one direction, then another...sooner or later, you'll find that, on some level, ALL questions are leading...and the observer/experimenter will always come up with an answer to validate their theories...or else they'll usually abandon those results that don't fit their theories.
Better to tell all and let it work out the way it should than burn your brain out worrying about it.
Hope it helps!
Yours, Friar

Answer 3

Well don! Go ahead, do your victory dance. Celebrate a little. Brag a little. Then come back and ask a few more questions! But dont forget to let me have the ten points either on the grounds of the cheek of me asking or for the more legitimate reason that this is the best answer ;o) You gotta be in it to win it

Answer 4

It certainly does.

I also find that if you don't ask a leading enough question people complain that you're being too open. Below is such a response to a question that I tried to leave open for people to answer without me biasing the results:

"what are you really looking for? be specific, or all you get are birds and bees answering. the question is very broad, and the person who is asking is wanting to know something particular, and maybe they will get lucky and get an answer connected to the thoughts they have. i doubt it,,"

Answer 5

You're asking a rhetorical question here. It affects what I think about you, and merely my wanting to tell you off for it is evidence you've affected my answering. But then, doesn't any question affect its answers? Doesn't any questioner impress (literally) his or her answerer? To be fair, I'm well affected and indeed impressed.

Answer 6

Look up the psychologist Elizabeth Loftus, She detailed much of her work around leading questions and eye witness testimony. She found that when police used leading questions such as did you see THE broken glass instead of did you see ANY broken glass participants where much more likely to agree with them. x

Answer 7

This is a leading question and so I refuse to answer!

Answer 8

Some funny answers. This question weirds me out actually. Two questions about questions in a row, I think that's it. JC's response is cool as f x

Answer 9

Well...I am following you so far......aren't I..? Just give it two minutes..and it will be entirely juxtiposed...in fact it just changed..now YOU are following me...i.e. I am now in the lead.
But, that is what you wanted isn't it?
\Now...will I permit you to past this point? (Not Rhetorical)

Answer 10

of course. it provokes a personal reaction rather than an objective opinion