It turns out that the word "because" helps us to manage our own behavior and influence of others. What is more surprising, the reason for which we explain our own actions, should not be logical and rational - it just has to be. It was 1977. Harvard psychologist Ellen Langer, together with her research group was going to conduct an experiment, which turned out to completely change our understanding of human behavior. It all started with the fact that Langer asked her assistants to get into the queue in front of unsuspecting people have a copier in the library. If you are looking for qualitative random webcam website – try randomwebcam!
Without queue
And here's how the experiment was conducted. The researcher noticed person in the library, who was waiting for his turn to use a photocopier, and came closer to get in front of him out of turn. After this researcher asked him one of three issues:
- Option number 1 (just asking): "I'm sorry, I've got 5 pages. May I use the Xerox machine? "
- Option number 2 (please explaining the real reason): "I'm sorry, I've got 5 pages. Can I use the Xerox machine? However, I am in hurry. "
- Option number 3 (please with far-fetched reason): "I'm sorry, I've got 5 pages. Can I use the Xerox machine? I need to make copies. "
You probably noticed that option number 3 does not make any sense. The need to make copies is rather dubious reason to go through the queue. Near the copier, you need to make copies. In this phrase there is no new information, but the experimenter uses it to somehow justify of behavior. With our our free local chat rooms you can get tons of fun! Surprisingly, this is far-fetched reason showed good results. After analyzing the data, scientists have discovered the following:
- Option number 1: 60% of people passed experimenter queue.
- Option number 2: 94% of people passed experimenter queue.
- Option number 3: 93% of people passed experimenter queue.
The study became known due to the fact that one of the most powerful incentives opened which we use to control the behavior of people is the word "because". Langer proved that as long as we continue to justify our behavior any reason ( "I do it because ..."), even if it does not make sense, we will continue to do the same. According to one well-known principle of human behavior, when we ask someone to do us a favor, we will achieve greater success. People like to have reasons for what they are do.