Comments on: Holding heavy objects makes us see things as more important

By: The Impact of Touch « VMG

The Impact of Touch « VMG — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 23:12:51 +0000

[...] off, in two experiments reminiscent of another study I’ve written about, Ackerman showed that holding a light or heavy clipboard can affect a person’s decision-making. [...]

By: jay

jay — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:20:11 +0000

Looks like I’m late to the party
It is almost universal (in the US at least) that police departments use large cars and sometimes SUVs even when only a single officer is riding in them (it’s not strictly size, but that the style of vehicle project ‘power’. While minivans are practical in capacity and not small, they don’t project power like a large sedan)
You will see other government cars are much smaller and lighter (conspicuously economical), but not police vehicles

By: Vladimir

Vladimir — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 03:08:52 +0000

Isn’t that clipboards give feelings of “importance” and weight just modifying it? Result of the study could be more reliable if same effect was registered with other objects not only clipboards. I think volunteers feel subject less important if they hold in their hand a 2.3 pound dildo instead of 1.5 pounds one.

By: Jordi

Jordi — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 11:26:57 +0000

I wonder how this research applies to people’s body-weight. Do heavier people take everything more serious, because they’re carrying around more weight? Or maybe they take it less serious, because anything they carry around weighs less with respect to their body weight…

By: Ed Yong

Ed Yong — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 16:35:35 +0000

I think some academic publishers don’t need the extra encouragement. Judging by my reference shelf, the basic ideas seems to be “If you can’t bludgeon someone to death with it, it’s too small.”

By: Lilian Nattel

Lilian Nattel — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 16:31:38 +0000

I read about this and as a writer my first thought was–publishers need to produce special review volumes with heavier paper.

By: Monado, FCD

Monado, FCD — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 04:29:30 +0000

Finally! A reason to hand someone a stack of bibles to swear on. Or a baby.

By: Grant Gould

Grant Gould — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 01:16:40 +0000

And here are some folks who have taken this idea to heart...

By: M.J. Proctor

M.J. Proctor — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 20:52:27 +0000

What about a book study using hardback and paperback versions? Anyone known about such? Would be interesting? Possibly weighty?

By: fia

fia — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 20:44:42 +0000

Ha! I wonder what difference the weight of one’s laptop makes for the work that is done on it. I have it on my lap very often while working. Now, should I rather opt for a heavy one instead of the MacBookAir?