Jean,
Jean Edwards Wrote:
> Please don't forget about my earlier request. I'd like to
> pose students with a question about human behavior; something
> commonplace but odd; something most of us do but we give
> little thought to; something they might answer one way,
> though research findings are the exact opposite.
I use tipping behavior (at restaurants) for just such a purpose. I find
it useful for a few reasons. First, there are a variety of interesting
and counter-intuitive findings (smiley-face on a check = higher tip;
crouching down = higher tip; touching = higher tip (plus a predictable
(and entertaining) interaction with sex)). Second, it's something that,
as you say, we do but give little thought to (with the exception of
doing some math). Finally, because it demonstrates a few different
social-psych principles that are easy to grasp and attach to the
behavior (e.g. the reciprocity norm).
Here are a few references:
Crusco, A. H., & Wetzel, C. G. (1984). The Midas touch: The
effect of interpersonal touch on restaurant tipping. Personality and
Social Psychology Bulletin, 10, 512-517.
Garrity, K., & Degelmann, D. (1990). Effect of server
introduction on restaurant tipping. Journal of Applied Social
Psychology, 20, 168-172.
Lynn, M., & Mynier, K. (1993). Effects of server posture on
restaurant tipping.; Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 23, 678-685.
Stephen, R., & Zweigenhaft, R. L. (1985). The effect on tipping
of a waitress touching male and female customers. The Journal of Social
Psychology, 126, 141-142.
Also, Cialdini's book "Influence: Science and Practice" contains a
variety of good ideas for just this sort of thing.
Hope this helps!
Scott
----------------------------
Scott C. Bates, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Department of Psychology
Utah State University
(435) 797 - 2975
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