From the Reprehensible Research Department
February 22nd, 2006Research like this sucks:
Baumeister’s team used two separate procedures to investigate the effects of rejection. In the first, a group of strangers met, got to know each other, and then separated. Each individual was asked to list which two other people they would like to work with on a task. They were then told they had been chosen by none or all of the others.
New Scientist Breaking News - Rejection massively reduces IQ
Well, duh.
Aggression scores increased in the rejected groups. But the IQ scores also immediately dropped by about 25 per cent, and their analytical reasoning scores dropped by 30 per cent.
Immediately? Please allow me to repeat myself:
Well, duh.
This reminds me in a small way of the Stanford Prison Experiment, an experiment so hideous and despicable that it warrants Godwinization.
Argh!