阅读理解。
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 (潜意识的) level, it seems people respond to eyes, and that might be
because eyes send a strong biological signal we have evolved (进化) 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
