Why not talk about their plans

Interesting experiment

silence is Golden

   To lose weight. To learn English. To run every morning. Every time we set a new personal goal, we share this news with friends, parents and colleagues. We tell them that they are going to do such-and-such. Or happily announce that has already begun to do so. Then, in 95% of cases, it turns out that this project is not accomplished. Why it is impossible to talk about his plans? And why objectives are achieved more often, which we do not tell anyone? German psychology Professor Peter Gollwitzer studying this phenomenon for over 15 years. He once conducted an interesting experiment. As a test Gollwitzer selected a group of law students at the University. The aim of experiment: to find out whether public statements about his intentions on achieving personal goals. Gollwitzer made a list of statements like: “I'm going to get from a legal education,” “I'm going to become a successful lawyer” and so on. Each statement the students had to rate on a scale from “Completely agree” to “Completely disagree”. The survey was conducted anonymously. If you wish, you can write your name. Also, in the questionnaires the students were asked to list three specific things that they are going to do to become a successful lawyer. Typical responses were: “I intend to regularly read legal periodicals” or something like that. When the students handed in the questionnaire, Peter Gollwitzer found that the majority of students answered the questions and signed his name. Some even did not fill in the questionnaires and kept their intentions secret.

The CIA was recruiting for a top secret assignment. They were down to three recruits, two men and one woman. Only one could get the position. As a final test each recruit was led down a hallway to a large gray door. The CIA agents say to the first man, "We need to know that you will do whatever we say regardless of the circumstances. Take this gun, go into this room and kill your wife". A look of shock comes over the man's face. He says, "I can't kill my wife. I just can't do it. I guess I'm not the man for this job". "No, you're not", agree the agents, "You're free to go". They bring the second man to the door and say, "We need to know that you will do whatever we say regardless of the circumstances. Take this gun, go into this room and kill your wife". The man takes the gun and goes into the room. The room is silent and after five minutes the man opens the door, tears streaming down his face. "I tried," he says, "but I just couldn't do it. I can't kill my wife". The agents let him leave. They bring the woman to the door and say, "We need to know that you will do whatever we say regardless of the circumstances. Take this gun, go into this room and kill your husband". She takes the gun and before the door closes behind her, she shoots off all 13 rounds emptying the gun. The door closes behind her and for the next five minutes the agents hear loud banging and grunting. The door finally opens, revealing the sweat-drenched woman. She looks at both agents, wipes her brow and says, "Whew! You guys didn't tell me that the gun was filled with blanks - I had to beat him to death with the chair!"

Those who kept their intentions secret

what is better not to tell

   Students were unaware that their intentions will be tested. They handed in their questionnaires and forgot about it. But researchers led by Peter Gollwitzer something planned... Psychologists waited for a while, and then artificially created a situation to test respondents “lice” :-) They asked the students to help them in the project, which required analysis of twenty criminal cases. Students said they have to work as hard as I can. Thus, everyone has the right to “score” to leave at any time. Criminal cases were difficult. They demanded the inclusion of brains to the fullest and perseverance. The results of the experiment were clear. Anyone who publicly announced in the form of its intentions for the future, “merged” with the work. They dodged the achievement of a goal. This is despite the commitment to build a career in law! Only those who have kept their hopes in themselves, were able to really do a hard work and follow through.

Why do people tell others about intent

without reserve

   Gollwitzer thinks it has to do with the sense of identity and integrity. We all want to be perfect people. But statements about our intentions and hard work are often a purely symbolic act. It just helps us to identify with his role. For example: “I'm a lawyer”, “I'm a writer”, “I'm a photographer”, “I'm programmer”. But the insatiable Peter Gollwitzer conducted another experiment to further verify the correctness. Students were shown five photographs of the Supreme court. The photos were different sizes. From very small to very large. Subjects were asked: “How you feeling cool as a lawyer now?” Test subjects had to rate their coolness and to answer the question by choosing one of five photographs. What a great photo you select, the more complete I feel. No one was surprised when students who previously has stated its goals and failed in practice, tended to select more photos. Even only one statement about his plans to become a lawyer, made them feel as if they were good lawyers. This increased their self-esteem, paradoxically reducing their ability to hard work. They become legends in their own imagination. And legends don't make a dusty and dirty work. So, less talk and more do.