Just the other day, a friend was telling me about this experiment he was learning about. A guy decided to sell bagels to groups of people by simply putting a basket or jar with some money near the bagels. He collected data about which methods were the best way to collect money. It was not so much about money as it was about ethics. There was a difference between the jar and the basket, there was a difference where he placed the stand. Sometimes somebody would just steal the whole jar, but for the most part, he made money from the endeavor. One of the things that caught my interest the most about this story was that when the guy placed the set up in an accounting office, most everyone put something into the jar. When he set it up in a business with managers he was much less likely to receive anything for the bagel. It is a curious thing. Accountants are often the individuals getting hit hard for their ethics, or lack of, in business. We often assume that the manager, although at fault, was not the main cause. This situation brings out a bit of new light. The man conducting the study suggested that the mangers may have felt more entitled to the bagels. So was it really an ethical decision?
It is something to wonder what you would do in that situation. If you would be more likely to put money depending on the basket or the jar. With no one watching, do you think that you would exchange money for a bagel? It is hard to know what you would do and how much you would give up for that scrumptious bagel. When I was first asked that question I answered the typical answer, put down some money and grab the bagel. However, I do think that a jar would be different than a basket, and that would affect my choice.
This scenario reminded of a story my sixth grade teacher told me about. She said that when she was little there was a little store where you could get fresh fruit and vegetables. Nobody was there, you just took what you needed and left the money in a basket. Today, this would be suicide. No business would every be so trusting as to practice this principle. Oh! How times change.
I know wonder why those things have changed.
Don't forget to take a bite.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I admit that there probably would be a difference if it was a jar or basket. I personally would be more apt to take a bagel from a basket and leave some money than I would a jar. And I'm sure it all has to do with the presentation of the bagels. Very thoughtful posts and I enjoy reading.
ReplyDeleteOf course times have changed! Our world is different on many levels, ethics just happens to be one of them. Much of the technology we have today has changed the perspectives of people. This blog could not have existed in the times when it was safe and secure to leave fresh fruit out with the expectation that someone was going to pay for it and not just take it. Today we have shoplifting even when there is a person sitting right there to see what is happening.
ReplyDeleteValues have changed. We have moved from a focus on family to a focus on self succeeding. From such a young age we are programed on succeeding as an adult. In the fresh fruit age they were programmed to work hard for their families.
Rachel, I took a bite, and it is one that I have been swallowing.