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Mirrors as a means of reducing (increasing?) bias
People exhibit less prejudice when they're in the presence of a mirror, Dutch researchers have shown. Carina Wiekens and Diederik Stapel said this effect occurs because mirrors make us more aware of our public appearance, and therefore remind us of the need to fall in line with social norms.
Here is more. Perhaps I have seen too many vampire movies, but in general I am of the opinion that mirrors have a real influence on our behavior.
Posted by Tyler Cowen on September 2, 2008 at 06:50 AM in Science | Permalink
Comments
There have been a number of studies that show people make decisions differently when they are in a room with mirrors. As recently as July 25 in MR, we had "Subjects tested in a room with a mirror have been found to work harder".
People behave differently when they know they're being watched; they feel less free to be themselves and more inclined to be on their best behavior, to make a good impression. Mirrors make us feel watched.
It would be an interesting experiment to try this with animals such as chimps who have self-awareness (recognize that it is themselves in the mirror and not some rival animal). If a chimp in a room alone is given the opportunity to steal some of its group's food, would it be less likely to do so if the walls were lined with mirrors?
Posted by: at Sep 2, 2008 7:45:00 AM
I am not convinced by the quote's implication, namely that social norms by definition work toward less prejudice. It would be illuminating to replicate this setting in a situation where acting in a prejudiced manner IS the social norm. If the amount of "revealed prejudice" is still lowered, there is some other mechanism at play.
Posted by: Johan A at Sep 2, 2008 8:05:44 AM
I advise those making sales calls on the phone to look at themselves in a mirror and smile before and during the calls. Increases warmth and honesty and decreases high pressure stuff. This might not work if you're selling "hot" stocks....
Posted by: at Sep 2, 2008 8:34:43 AM
Funny thing about eyeballs. Seems that being in the line of a sight of other capuchin monkeys makes them behave more socially as well.
http://www.emorywheel.com/detail.php?n=25693
For a good society, perhaps we all need to live in glass houses ;)
Posted by: Anittah Patrick at Sep 2, 2008 9:08:34 AM
I second John A's comments: what if the prevailing social norms are awful?
Posted by: michael webster at Sep 2, 2008 9:46:44 AM
This is fascinating. It seems like more vision and awareness or none at all are the recipe for more understanding and less prejudice. Do the blind judge people?
Posted by: Matt at Sep 2, 2008 10:31:43 AM
Not to question whether mirrors have influence on our behavior, but the point that immediately springs to mind is did these people think these were two way mirrors?
Posted by: yakov_a at Sep 2, 2008 10:46:01 AM
Matt,
Careful. Exhibiting less prejudice is not the same as having less prejudice.
Posted by: at Sep 2, 2008 10:46:49 AM
It would be interesting to examine whether mirrors reduce "socially acceptable bias" - ie anti-Asian or anti-old people bias - as much as they reduce bias against those whose claims of bias are taken more seriously - blacks, gays, etc.
Posted by: anonymous_coward at Sep 2, 2008 3:53:41 PM
