Under watchful gaze

By Catherine Scullion

A simple study performed recently in the UK shows that people are more likely to act 'morally' if they feel like they are being watched.

Staff of the psychology department at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne had proven reluctant to pay up the suggested donation for the tea and coffee they consumed. This proved to be a nuisance to behavioural biologist Melissa Bateson; who was in charge of the purchasing of the beverages. Previous research performed at the University of California, LA, had shown that displaying a picture of a pair of eyes resulted in increased generosity in laboratory games. Such behaviour is considered advantageous in evolutionary theory. This gave Bateson an idea.

Over a period of ten weeks a hypothesis was tested. Would the watchful gaze of paper eyes really prompt better behaviour? To Bateson the answer was a resounding yes. Milk was often consumed with the beverage of choice of the staff, consequently its use was utilised as an indicator of how many cups of tea and coffee were being taken. She found that alternating display between pictures of eyes or flowers produced 'really quite striking' results which are published in Biology Letters. The donation box was considerably fuller, almost 3 times that in the control case, when eyes were displayed. This is interesting evidence with regard to how the human psyche may be manipulated. The staff also seemed to react to the mood indicated by the paper 'watcher,' with angry male eyes producing the greatest financial intake.

The results of the simple study present a number of interesting applications. Perhaps existence in a pseudo Big Brother state, with the impression that we are constantly under surveillance, would improve our behaviour. Whether considered as a means to reduce ASBOs, or use of a more real reminder that perhaps some deity truly is watching us, and judging us, the study undoubtedly gives some food for thought. Perhaps even a small insight into our decision making processes through our evolutionary past to our donation-dodging present.