Making People Sign Forms at the Top May Keep Them Honest
Signing first triggers people's self-awareness, making it harder for them to cheat
When people sign their name at the top of a form, they are more likely to fill it out honestly than if they sign at the bottom after it's complete, new research shows.
This suggests that when people sign their name and vouch for the accuracy of the information, their sense of morals is activated. As a result, it is more difficult for them to cheat.
We knew that an honor code is useful, but we were wondering how much the location mattered.
To investigate this issue, the study authors conducted an analysis of more than 13,000 car insurance policy forms involving 20,000 cars. They found customers who signed the form at the top reported nearly 2,500 miles more usage than those who signed at the bottom. This amounts to a discrepancy of at least $48 per car in annual insurance premiums.
Signing a form at the top first triggers people's self-awareness, making it harder for them to avoid facing their own dishonest behavior, the researchers explained. They noted, however, that people who already know they are going to be honest will be unaffected by when or where they sign their name.
Source: HealthDay News
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