10 Lab-Tested Ways to Bring Out the Best in People
The best of human nature—generosity, compassion, cooperation, selflessness—surfaced in these studies. Of course, the goal is to draw out a person's good side, not exploit it. Use your powers wisely.
By Jena Pincott
Photo: Thinkstock
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Discovery #3: Feast Their Eyes
Here's a surprise: The sight of meat makes people significantly
less, not more, aggressive. Kinder, even. This comes from a
study led by Frank Kachanoff, a researcher at McGill University, who asked men to blast people with sound whenever they made a mistake sorting photos—which featured either juicy, brownish-pink hunks of meat or neutral imagery. To everyone’s surprise, the group of guys looking at the ready-to-eat rib-eyes were unwilling to inflict as much discomfort on another person.
The likely reason: People associate the sight of sumptuous food (like a roast) with communal moments such as celebrating with friends and family. This brings out the inner kitten, not the tiger.
Published 03/08/2013
