Psychologists who conducted an experiment on their unsuspecting colleagues found that they put nearly three times as much money into an ‘honesty box’ when they were being watched by a pair of eyes on a poster, compared with a poster that featured an image of flowers.
The researchers say the eye pictures were probably influential because the brain naturally reacts to images of faces and eyes. It seems people were subconsciously cooperating with the honesty box when it featured pictures of eyes rather than flowers.
Maybe that’s what that eye is really for on the dollar bill?
Interesting question, my friend. They do call it the all-seeing eye.
The Feds want to keep us honest. Who’s going to keep them honest?
I’d say it is more likely that the eyes encourage compliance, rather than honesty. There is a difference.
The article hints as much:
“Details of the experiment, believed to be the first to test how cues of being watched affect people’s tendency for social co-operation in a real-life setting….”
Interesting stuff.
1. I had a friend who owned a convenience store, and when he installed security cameras his profits soared.
2. To prevent dawdling in the public facilities perhaps we should install backlighted images of a single eye on the inside of the door.
Cameras in the right place do encourages honesty, cameras in the wrong place encourages rebellion and subversion
Cameras in Paris Hilton’s room encourages tacky green smut *grin*
The panopticon in action!
Somebody get me a poster with a pair of watching eyes – I want to put in in my company’s director’s offices.