Wallet Test (testing people's honesty)

suncrafter · 11-09-2007, 04:46 PM

Wallet Test (testing people's honesty)

A sociological experiment was conducted in Illinois called the "Wallet Test". You can read about it at http://www.wallettest.com/

The researchers deliberately dropped 100 identical wallets (containing money and ID) in public places to test honesty.

The test results were broken down by age, gender and race ----> http://www.wallettest.com/Lost_Walle...ults_Page.html

What I'd like to know is why did men steal over twice as much as women?!?

:brow:

Preturbed · 11-09-2007, 04:53 PM

This is not meant to be a sexist remark... but women are usually given more by men. Men, conversely, are expected to buy more things for women and thus have a greater need for money.

Serenity · 11-09-2007, 04:54 PM

Quote:

What I'd like to know is why did men steal over twice as much as women?!?

Small sample size, easily corrupted? I mean, jeez, you should have more than 100 people to ensure statistical accuracy.

I mean seriously.

Quote:

This is not meant to be a sexist remark... but women are usually given more by men. Men, conversely, are expected to buy more things for women and thus have a greater need for money.

If I were to assume that the statistics presented here are true (pfft), then the most likely reason is that men are expected to be aggressive, ambitious, and similar "strong" traits, none of which include "nice".

Demetrius · 11-09-2007, 05:30 PM

Quote:

If I were to assume that the statistics presented here are true (pfft), then the most likely reason is that men are expected to be aggressive, ambitious, and similar "strong" traits, none of which include "nice".

Not to mention brave, strong, supportive, sensitive, caring, pioneering and faithful.

Serenity · 11-09-2007, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Demetrius

Not to mention brave, strong, supportive, sensitive, caring, pioneering and faithful.

Describe the behavioral patterns implicit in the following statement:
"Boys will be boys."

Demetrius · 11-09-2007, 05:37 PM

I will counter with, because they are not men. To be a man is to leave behind boyish ways and embrace maturity and constance of mind, if you want to bring in dated addages.

EDIT: I find your accusation of men to be one sided and a generality that misconstrues personhood in favor of assholishness. Traditionally a man is a rock, a part of (cannot forget that a woman holds this shit down just as much as the man does) the foundation of his family and a source of succor no matter how difficult the times. He is supposed to be a role model and is expected to be anything and everything all the time.

I found your "not sexist remark" to be extremely sexist and offensive. I will refer you to my many posts on stereotyping and judgment in response to the reasons why.

EDIT x2: The whole quote is "Boys will be boys and girls will be girls" and refers to the gender role tendencies and is used as an excuse to perpetuate them.

Khael! · 11-09-2007, 07:01 PM

They say nothing about what constitutes as "return". You could hand it in to the police, yes. But a lot of the young people might not think to do that.

You could take it home, post notices saying "wallet found with ID, call 555-..." and ask them their names, using the ID to verify. People in my area do stuff like that all the time with lost jewelry and other belongings.

I just think the test is pointless if it's not going to use larger numbers or take tertiary factors into account. Whether it intended to or not, oh man did it make black people look bad. Teen guys too. There's no indicators as to why such a difference would occur, so the test isn't being very helpful.

Captain Combustible · 11-09-2007, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Website

...Each of the 100 lost wallets contained $2.10 in real money, a fake $50.00 gift certificate, some miscellaneous items and a clearly written ID card identifying the lost wallet's rightful owner. We were curious as to how honest people would be and wanted to see how different groups would compare to each other.

Well according to this and from what I read on the site all the wallets contained I.Ds and a phone number so I think it is fairly unlikely that anyone would try a different way to return the wallets.

Khael! · 11-09-2007, 07:22 PM

Whoops, and phone numbers. Yeah. I missed that part. Dammit I need to think harder when I read.

bananarama · 11-09-2007, 07:30 PM

Well, I don't think this study is indicative of anything really... well maybe it can tell how the people in Belleville, Illinois are like (but even then 100 people would hardly be called a reasonable sample size). If they tried this same test again in say New York City, then I'm sure that completely different results would be found. Basically, the behavior of the people of Belleville is not indicative of the behavior of people around the world.

To sum this whole thing up, I call shenanigans on this test and the so-called "researchers" who administered it.

11-09-2007, 04:46 PM	#1
suncrafter Awesome!!! Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: IL. USA Posts: 16	Wallet Test (testing people's honesty) Wallet Test (testing people's honesty) A sociological experiment was conducted in Illinois called the "Wallet Test". You can read about it at http://www.wallettest.com/ The researchers deliberately dropped 100 identical wallets (containing money and ID) in public places to test honesty. The test results were broken down by age, gender and race ----> http://www.wallettest.com/Lost_Walle...ults_Page.html What I'd like to know is why did men steal over twice as much as women?!? :brow:

11-09-2007, 04:53 PM	#2
Preturbed betrayal! Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 1,092	This is not meant to be a sexist remark... but women are usually given more by men. Men, conversely, are expected to buy more things for women and thus have a greater need for money. __________________ sudden but inevitable

11-09-2007, 05:37 PM	#6
Demetrius In need of a vacation Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Peoples Republic of Vermont Posts: 3,236	I will counter with, because they are not men. To be a man is to leave behind boyish ways and embrace maturity and constance of mind, if you want to bring in dated addages. EDIT: I find your accusation of men to be one sided and a generality that misconstrues personhood in favor of assholishness. Traditionally a man is a rock, a part of (cannot forget that a woman holds this shit down just as much as the man does) the foundation of his family and a source of succor no matter how difficult the times. He is supposed to be a role model and is expected to be anything and everything all the time. I found your "not sexist remark" to be extremely sexist and offensive. I will refer you to my many posts on stereotyping and judgment in response to the reasons why. EDIT x2: The whole quote is "Boys will be boys and girls will be girls" and refers to the gender role tendencies and is used as an excuse to perpetuate them. __________________ DFM, Demon seed of Hell who fuels its incredible power by butchering little girls and feeding on their innocence. Demetrius, Dark clown of the netherworld, a being of incalculable debauchery and a soulless, faceless evil as old as time itself. Zilla, The chick. ~DFM Wii bishie bishie kawaii baka! ~ Fifthfiend Last edited by Demetrius; 11-09-2007 at 05:44 PM.

11-09-2007, 07:01 PM	#7
Khael! I'm somebody else these days. Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Same house same hill same bat channel still canada Posts: 1,968	They say nothing about what constitutes as "return". You could hand it in to the police, yes. But a lot of the young people might not think to do that. You could take it home, post notices saying "wallet found with ID, call 555-..." and ask them their names, using the ID to verify. People in my area do stuff like that all the time with lost jewelry and other belongings. I just think the test is pointless if it's not going to use larger numbers or take tertiary factors into account. Whether it intended to or not, oh man did it make black people look bad. Teen guys too. There's no indicators as to why such a difference would occur, so the test isn't being very helpful. __________________ "Life is like a box of chocolates. Cheap, thoughtless, perfunctory gift that nobody ever asks for." - CGB Spender Super Perfundo on the Early Eve of Your Day. Last edited by Khael!; 11-09-2007 at 07:04 PM.

11-09-2007, 07:22 PM	#9
Khael! I'm somebody else these days. Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Same house same hill same bat channel still canada Posts: 1,968	Whoops, and phone numbers. Yeah. I missed that part. Dammit I need to think harder when I read. __________________ "Life is like a box of chocolates. Cheap, thoughtless, perfunctory gift that nobody ever asks for." - CGB Spender Super Perfundo on the Early Eve of Your Day.

11-09-2007, 07:30 PM	#10
bananarama Old Gregg Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 2,189	Well, I don't think this study is indicative of anything really... well maybe it can tell how the people in Belleville, Illinois are like (but even then 100 people would hardly be called a reasonable sample size). If they tried this same test again in say New York City, then I'm sure that completely different results would be found. Basically, the behavior of the people of Belleville is not indicative of the behavior of people around the world. To sum this whole thing up, I call shenanigans on this test and the so-called "researchers" who administered it.