A poster with flowers was replaced by a poster with a pair of eyes in front of an 'honesty box' to watch for people’s behaviour. The honesty box was placed in a canteen and it was organized as a way of paying for hot drinks in a staff common room. Above the honesty box, a poster was placed at eye-level with the prices of tea, coffee and milk. The experiment was made to show how people behave when they think they are being watched.
The eyes-poster was placed besides an honesty box because it is believed the brain naturally reacts to images of faces and eyes and that people would subconsciously act as if someone was watching because they care what other people think of them.
The theory proved correct as three times more money was placed in an honesty box when people looked at the eyes than when they looked at the flowers.
Researchers believe that this is a very good way to tackle anti-social behaviour.
The eyes-poster was placed besides an honesty box because it is believed the brain naturally reacts to images of faces and eyes and that people would subconsciously act as if someone was watching because they care what other people think of them.
The theory proved correct as three times more money was placed in an honesty box when people looked at the eyes than when they looked at the flowers.
Researchers believe that this is a very good way to tackle anti-social behaviour.
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