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Related Experiment Videos

Two non-reactive field experiments on stealing from a 'lost' letter.

D P Farrington, B J Knight

    The British Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology
    |September 1, 1979
    PubMed
    Summary

    This study on factors influencing stealing found that cash and a higher-class male victim increased theft. Younger individuals and those who pocketed the letter were also more likely to steal.

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    Area of Science:

    • Social Psychology
    • Behavioral Economics

    Background:

    • Understanding the determinants of prosocial and antisocial behaviors is crucial in social psychology.
    • Factors influencing opportunistic theft in urban environments remain an area of interest.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the influence of financial incentives, victim characteristics, and demographic factors on the act of stealing.
    • To examine how the amount and form of money affect the likelihood of theft.

    Main Methods:

    • Two non-reactive field experiments were conducted in London using "lost" letters containing money.
    • Experiment 1 utilized a 2x2x2 factorial design varying money amount, form, and victim type.
    • Experiment 2 tested larger sums of money with a consistent victim type.

    Main Results:

    • Stealing rates were higher when the money was cash and the apparent victim was a higher-class male.
    • The amount of money did not significantly affect stealing in Experiment 1 but did in Experiment 2.
    • Younger individuals and those who immediately secured the letter were more prone to stealing.

    Conclusions:

    • The perceived value of the money and the perceived vulnerability of the victim significantly influence opportunistic theft.
    • Age and immediate concealment behavior are key indicators of potential theft.
    • Findings have implications for understanding social norms and ethical decision-making in public spaces.

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