Need Some Ideas

[elitespart]

This is a bit off topic, but it deals with psychology so I guess it's okay.

I'm doing a research on the influence someone in authority has over others. I really got into this after watching Derren Brown's stuff. So my original ideas was to see if a teacher could get his/her students to "cheat" on a test that is supposedly an evaluation to check if the teacher is doing his/her job correctly. And then my question would be: If teachers could the students to cheat on a test, then what else could they get their students to do? That whole idea got shut down because it was too controversial.

My question to you guys is: Do you have any ideas of something I could do along the same lines but will not piss off any administrators? Thanks.

-v.b.

 

[lux-ferre]

How about testing it using positive influence instead of a negative one (getting students to cheat).

 

[StreetMage]

How about testing it using positive influence instead of a negative one (getting students to cheat).

Because the whole point is to prove that teachers are evil so they all get fired and we have no more school forever. You didn't get that part?

 

[y2john]

My question to you guys is: Do you have any ideas of something I could do along the same lines but will not piss off any administrators? Thanks.

Who did it piss off???

It's up to you if you want to look further into what you were, if others try stopping your research/interest in this then that's very sad indeed.

I say continue with what you were originally doing

 

[elitespart]

Who did it piss off???

It's up to you if you want to look further into what you were, if others try stopping your research/interest in this then that's very sad indeed.

I say continue with what you were originally doing

Well since its in school and I'm testing on humans the people in charge of approving my research said that no way in hell I could this without prior approval which pretty much defeats the purpose.

Anyways, I'm liking the positive feedback thing. See how negative/positive comments given prior to tests affect scores.

Thanks.

 

[jonraiker]

I dig the idea. Psychology and influence are always fun to dissect, especially in how they pertain to gaining rapport, influencing spectators, etc. in magic.

Check out a book called "The Lucifer Effect: Understanding Why Good People Turn Evil". It's written by psychologist Philip Zimbardo, who lead the Stanford Prison Experiment. Also, "Obedience to Authority: An Experimental View" by Stanley Milgram, who conducted the Milgram Experiment. Both may aid in your endeavor.

Keep us posted. Always nice to have some hardcore thinkers in magic.