EFFECTS OF AN OBSERVER ON HAND WASHING IN A PUBLIC RESTROOM
Abstract
This experiment tests a prediction derived from social influence theories that increased awareness of self enhances normative behavior, specifically, that the frequency and duration of handwashing in a public restroom will be increased by the presence of an observer. When a second person was present, 24 of 31 female subjects washed their hands after using toilet facilities, while only 11 of 28 washed when they were alone. Among those who washed, no significant difference in duration of washing was observed. The results are consistent with Wicklund's theory of objective self-awareness and other theories of social influence.
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People who are aware of being observed adapt their attitudes and behavior to match what they perceive to be more acceptable social norms or socially desirable responses.
“it is generally agreed that people who are aware of being observed adapt their attitudes and behavior to match what they perceive to be more B acceptable social norms ^ (Munger and Harris 1989; Sproull et al. 1996)”
From Paradoxical effects of self-awareness of being observed: testing the effect of police body-worn cameras on assaults and aggression against officers (2018) · cites this paper as Munger and Harris 1989
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Ariel, B., Farrar, W. A., & Sutherland, A. (2015) · Journal of Quantitative Criminology · doi:10.1007/s10940-014-9236-3 · Cited by 621 · see citing works
Freeman, M. C., Stocks, M. E., Cumming, O., Jeandron, A., Higgins, J. P. T., Wolf, J., Prüss‐Ustün, A., Bonjour, S., Hunter, P. R., Fewtrell, L., et al. (2014) · Tropical Medicine & International Health · doi:10.1111/tmi.12339 · Cited by 524 · see citing works
Luby, S. P., Halder, A. K., Huda, T., Unicomb, L., & Johnston, R. B. (2011) · PLoS Medicine · doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.1001052 · Cited by 217 · see citing works
Ariel, B., Sutherland, A., Henstock, D., Young, J., Drover, P., Sykes, J., Megicks, S., & Henderson, R. (2018) · Journal of Experimental Criminology · doi:10.1007/s11292-017-9311-5 · Cited by 85 · see citing works
- Authors
- MUNGER, K., & HARRIS, S. J.
- Affiliations
- Wells College (US)
- Venue
- Perceptual and Motor Skills
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 1989-12
- Volume
- 69
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 733-734
- ISSN
- 0031-5125 (ISSN-L)
- 1558-688X
- OpenAlex
- W2079021852
- Cited by
- 115
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 12 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 9 · 2016: 8 · 2015: 8 · 2014: 7 · 2013: 1 · 2012: 1
- FWCI
- 0.00
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Perceptual and Motor Skills (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Psychology of Social Influence
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Infectious Diseases › Infection Control in Healthcare
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Behavioral Health and Interventions
- Keywords
- hand washing, public toilets, observer effect, social influence, self-awareness, normative behavior, hygiene practices
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