Because the behavior is almost certainly automatic, then I think it is likely a 'apparently/possible newness is better' heuristic is operating, and it may be related to individual differences in germ awareness.
I agree with Beth that doing some videotaping and observation to see if there are any correlating behaviors prior to or after the glasses being selected is a good starting point. Checking to see selection patterns of people who see the glasses dumped onto the table compared to those who did not see the dumping might be informative about Carol's germ hypothesis, because they are more likely to be aware that they are being recycled. I think that there are some tests of Carols hypothesis of germ/freshness/newness concerns (also my hypothesis). As a point to begin discussions, here are some ideas that occur in the 15 minutes I've spent thinking on this: 1) Instead of the tangled pile of glasses being just a pile, have another condition in which they are in a box that appears to be the one that they might have shipped in (must be a good mockup and not more difficult to get to the glasses). If there is little change in the proportion of people selecting those from the box compared to the pile, then it is reasonable to infer that people are seeing them as equivalent in terms of newness (though the making it easier on the worker hypothesis is still an alternative explanation). A reduction in use may not be meaningful because the box might confer a sense of 'ownership' of the glasses, that they are not yet 'released' for use by the public. 2) But, even if there is reduced or increased reaching into the box you can create a comparison condition: create a box that clearly indicates that they are the 'return box from the exit of the exhibit.' if there is a reduction in the proportion who are taking the glasses from that box compared to the 'apparently new' box, then we can infer that they are thinking they are getting 'new' glasses from the pile. 3) Another manipulation: Have the student work from the original pile situation but use latex gloves to handle the glasses. If people infer that the student might be the source of the germs then seeing the gloves should mean that they see the lined up glasses as equally germ free (or germy, and the student is protecting himself via the gloves) as the untangled and go to less effort to select from the pile. Adding a wipe dispenser and noticing if use of wipes differs depending on chose from pile versus not pile, and that interacting with latex glove use of student. I think it is likely he could construct a viable undergraduate thesis from this. Paul C Bernhardt Frostburg State University Frostburg, MD, USA pcbernhardt[at]frostburg[d0t]edu On Oct 10, 2010, at 10:27 AM, Beth Benoit wrote: > > For a start, I'd think the student might want to set up a video camera and > take a video of people selecting their glasses. There might be some clues > there. Are men more likely to select from the tangled pile? Or women? > Taller people? Do difficult-pile selecters seem more friendly? Less/more in > a hurry? In smaller/larger groups? > > In reading Annette's description, I could envision myself selecting from the > tangled pile because that would be one less pair the poor worker would have > to untangle, fold and place. (I do this all the time at the grocery. When > some poor grocery worker is putting an item that I want on the shelf, I take > it from his cart and tell him, with a smile, that that's one less he/she has > to put on the shelf. Not that they ever seem particularly grateful, but then > I guess I'm not really saving him/her all that much work...) > > If he does take a video, I'd love to have you put it on youtube and let us > all take a look and search for other hypotheses. > > Beth Benoit > Granite State College > Plymouth State University > New Hampshire > --- > > You are currently subscribed to tips as: [email protected]. > > To unsubscribe click here: > http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13441.4e79e96ebb5671bdb50111f18f263003&n=T&l=tips&o=5528 > > (It may be necessary to cut and paste the above URL if the line is broken) > > or send a blank email to > leave-5528-13441.4e79e96ebb5671bdb50111f18f263...@fsulist.frostburg.edu > --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [email protected]. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df5d5&n=T&l=tips&o=5533 or send a blank email to leave-5533-13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df...@fsulist.frostburg.edu
