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Honesty may well be the policy, but it often deserts us when no one is watching, psychologists report
today. Experiments with an honesty box to collect payments for hot drinks show that people are better at
paying up when under the gaze (注视) of a pair of eyes. The surprise was that the eyes were not real, but
photographed.
Researchers at Newcastle University set up the experiment in secret. They attached a poster to a cupboard
of mugs above an-honesty box alongside a kettle with tea, coffee and milk. Over 10 weeks, they alternated
each week between images of eyes and pictures of flowers.
Dr. Bateson, a behavioral biologist and leader of the study, said that even though the eyes were not real
they still seemed to make people behave more honestly. They effect may arise from behavioral characteristics
that developed as early humans formed social groups that increased their chances of survival. Individuals had
to co-operate for the good of the group, rather than act selfishly.
"If nobody is watching us it is in our interests to behave selfishly. But when we think we're being watched
we should behave better, so people see us as co-operative and behave the same way towards us," Dr. Bateson
said.
"We thought we'd get a slight effect with eyes, but it was quite striking how much difference they made.
Even at a subconscious level, it seems people respond to eyes, and that might be because eyes send a strong
biological signal we have evolved to respond to."
The finding, which researchers believe sheds light on our evolutionary past, could be turned to practical use. The psychologists say images of eyes could promote ticket sales on public transport and improve monitor systems to prevent antisocial behavior.
1. This passage is mainly about ______.
A. the policy of honesty
B. an honesty box to collect money
C. evolution on honesty
D. an experiment on honesty
2. The reason for doing the experiment secretly is that the researchers ______.
A. wanted to get a comparatively more exact result
B. had known they wanted to do something illegally
C. meant to get the co-operation of their colleagues
D. intended to sell the hot drinks at a higher price
3. People behave honestly under watchful gaze of eyes because ______.
A. they want to leave a good impression
B. they fear to be laughed at by others
C. they've got the nature through evolution
D. they take the photo for a real pair of eyes
4. The underlined phrase " sheds light on" in the last paragraph means _____.
A. causes somebody to become cheerful
B. makes something easier to understand
C. comes upon something by accident
D. brings something into the broad daylight
