Placing the Signature on Top of a Form Promotes Honesty [Mind Hacks]

In general, we want to be honest, but fear and other emotions often form a roadblock for truth when thought comes to action. When you need to get accurate information out of someone, putting the signature block at the top of a form gives them the nudge they need toward honesty. Wired Science points to an interesting study by Northwestern University psychologist Lisa Shu that discovered this phenomenon:

To see whether this signature effect could be harnessed to reduce cheating, Shu's team enrolled 101 college students and employees in performing two self-reported tasks: solving math problems correctly in exchange for money, and claiming reimbursements for expenses on a library trip. For each task, test participants filled out a claims form. Some signed at the bottom, others at the top, and others didn't sign at all. Top-signers reported solving fewer problems, and claimed fewer expenses, than the other groups.

Shu's study isn't the first to discover that inciting honesty requires a reminder. Dan Ariely points to a study in his book Predictably Irrational (pp. 208-209) that discusses how recalling the ten commandments prevented cheating on tests. The study concludes, same as Shu's, that a reminder to be honest is enough to make people honest. When you need truth, just remember to ask for it.

Signing Forms at the Top Makes People More Honest | Wired Science via GOOD

Photo by Ken Teegardin.

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/lifehacker/full/~3/V6ZDLUsV9tI/placing-the-signature-on-top-of-a-form-promotes-honesty

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