The Problem:
Researchers wanted to find out if onlookers would risk personal harm to stop crime. To do this, they staged thefts at a New York City beach to see if strangers would halt the crime.
In the study, an accomplice of the researchers would put a beach blanket five feet from the blanket of a randomly chosen individual - the subject. After several minutes of relaxing on the blanket and listening to music from a portable radio, the accomplice would stand up and leave to stroll down the beach.
Soon after, a researcher, pretending to be a thief, would approach, grab the radio, and run away with it.
Researchers wanted to find out if onlookers would risk personal harm to stop crime. To do this, they staged thefts at a New York City beach to see if strangers would halt the crime.
In the study, an accomplice of the researchers would put a beach blanket five feet from the blanket of a randomly chosen individual - the subject. After several minutes of relaxing on the blanket and listening to music from a portable radio, the accomplice would stand up and leave to stroll down the beach.
Soon after, a researcher, pretending to be a thief, would approach, grab the radio, and run away with it.
The Results:
As expected, under normal conditions, subjects were very reluctant to put themselves in harm's way by challenging the thief. Only 4 people responded in the 20 times the theft was staged.
But when the same experiment was conducted with a slight twist, the results were drastically different; 19 out of 20 people responded. All the researchers had to do was say four words before they left for the "stroll". What did the researchers say?
As expected, under normal conditions, subjects were very reluctant to put themselves in harm's way by challenging the thief. Only 4 people responded in the 20 times the theft was staged.
But when the same experiment was conducted with a slight twist, the results were drastically different; 19 out of 20 people responded. All the researchers had to do was say four words before they left for the "stroll". What did the researchers say?
The Solution:
"Please, watch my things."
The answer may seem simple and straightforward, but the science behind it is compelling and vital. The second time the researchers conducted the experiment, before leaving the blanket, the accomplice would simply ask the subject to "please, watch my things," something everyone agreed to do. Just using these 4 words, 19/20 subjects became virtual vigilantes, running after and stopping the thief, demanding an explanation, often restraining the thief physically or snatching the radio away. (Moriarty, 1975)
BUT WHY?
The findings above is not as significant as the understanding as to why and how people respond. When do they say “Yes” to a request and how do we increase the probability of that happening significantly? The science behind how to influence and persuade to get the results you want is covered in our high-energy workshop, the Principles of Persuasion.
Stay tuned, more information is coming soon!
"Please, watch my things."
The answer may seem simple and straightforward, but the science behind it is compelling and vital. The second time the researchers conducted the experiment, before leaving the blanket, the accomplice would simply ask the subject to "please, watch my things," something everyone agreed to do. Just using these 4 words, 19/20 subjects became virtual vigilantes, running after and stopping the thief, demanding an explanation, often restraining the thief physically or snatching the radio away. (Moriarty, 1975)
BUT WHY?
The findings above is not as significant as the understanding as to why and how people respond. When do they say “Yes” to a request and how do we increase the probability of that happening significantly? The science behind how to influence and persuade to get the results you want is covered in our high-energy workshop, the Principles of Persuasion.
Stay tuned, more information is coming soon!
