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Controversial Research States Those Driving Roomy Cars Are Dishonest
It is not uncommon for research papers to come out with strange and controversial findings. But you are certain to question the credibility of the research if the results suggest you are dishonest and unethical based on how you drive in a video game.
A new research paper, titled "The Ergonomics of Dishonesty", published by researchers from MIT, Columbia, Northwestern and Berkeley universities is based upon the theory that expansive postures, stretched out and high seating positions give people a sense of confidence and a false sensation of power, especially when compared against those sitting hunched and in restricted postures.
This same rule apparently applies to people driving cars. To test this theory the researchers conducted a few tests. One of them included driving simulations using ‘Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit' with a gaming steering wheel.
Based on the study the researchers concluded that persons driving a car in the game seated in an expansive position were more reckless and were prone to exhibit ‘hit and run' behaviour. While those seated in a contractive position exhibited better behaviour behind the wheels.
"..individuals who engaged in expansive postures (either explicitly or inadvertently) were more likely to steal money, cheat on a test, and commit traffic violations in a driving simulation," the paper states.
In another test the researchers looked at several parked cars in New York city. The conclusion they came to was that cases of double parking were more common among people with cars that were spacious and facilitated expansive seating position.
We believe the research is unrealistic, one reason being the use of an old video game (not even an actual car simulation), to gather results. The abstract of the research paper is below. You can also read the entire paper here. Let us know what your thoughts are.
"Research in environmental sciences has found that the ergonomic design of human-made environments influences thought, feeling and action. Here, we examine the impact of physical environments on dishonest behavior. Four studies tested whether certain bodily configurations-or postures-incidentally imposed by our environment lead to increases in dishonest behavior. The first three experiments found that individuals who engaged in expansive postures (either explicitly or inadvertently) were more likely to steal money, cheat on a test, and commit traffic violations in a driving simulation. Results suggested that participants' self-reported sense of power mediated the link between postural expansiveness and dishonesty. Study 4 revealed that automobiles with more expansive driver's seats were more likely to be illegally parked on New York City streets. Taken together, results suggest that: (1) environments that expand the body can inadvertently lead us to feel more powerful, and (2) these feelings of power can cause dishonest behavior."
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