If Jerry builds it you will come
What would Jerry Albright do
if he was here right now?
Is it better to work on your own or with a group of people who are better than you? Someone like Jerry Albright for instance? Common sense tells us that when you see someone else do something difficult you will know it's possible and be more inclined to do it too. The study below proves it.
It claims that all you have to do is bring a good role model - like Jerry Albright - to mind and you will be inclined to follow her lead.
However, common sense also tells us that role models can do no more than give us a little push. If you have many inclinations that pull you in another direction it's unlikely that a role model alone will turn you around.
You can call up Jerry and ask what he would do but you only do it because you're no Jerry. And a bit of advice won't turn you into one either.
Experiment 1
Subjects were told to think about a friend with good self-control. Others were told to think about a friend with bad self-control. Then they were tested to see how long they could press a handgrip. Those who thought about someone with good self-control were able to persist longer.
Experiment 2
Subjects watched others choose a carrot from a plate in front of them instead of a cookie. Others watched people eat the cookies. They were tested for self-control. The people who watched the carrot-eaters showed more self-control.
Experiment 3
Subjects listed friends with good self-control and bad self-control. Then they did a test on a computer to measure self-control. During the test, the computer wd flash names for 10 milliseconds. That's too fast to read but it will bring the names to mind subliminally. When the computer flashed the names of friends with good self-control the subjects scored higher on the self-control test.
Experiment 4
Subjects wrote about a friend with good self-control. Others wrote about a friend with bad self-control. Then they were tested for self-control. Those who wrote about friends with good self-control did best.
Experiment 5
Subjects were told to write about friends with good self-control. Others were told to write about friends with bad self-control. Later, those who wrote about good-self control were able to identify words related to self-control faster. (Examples: achieve, discipline, effort). This means that exposure to people with good self-control brings thoughts about self-control to the top of your mind.
Conclusion
When you see others are able to do something difficult you will be more inclined to do it too.
You need to be a member of RecruitingBlogs to add comments!
Join RecruitingBlogs