Video 2

Crafting a More Effective PSA

8 Points Possible (2 points each)

New research suggests that ads like Iron Eyes Cody are not only in effective, but may be counter-productive.

Dr. Robert Cialdini, a professor of psychology has conducted research that indicates that showing people negative behavior makes them accept it as normal.

Watch this classic “Iron Eyes Cody” PSA first, and then listen to this NPR Story (5 minutes 42 seconds)

Copy and paste these questions into a Microsoft Word Document and provide the answers. Save the document as your Last Name_BetterPSA.doc and submit it to SchoolLoop.com

1. Why is it a bad idea to show people doing undesirable things?

2. What did Cialdini’s Petrified Forest research find?

3. When Cialdini put up a sign that did not mention how common theft was but concentrated instead on the cost to the environment of such destructive behavior, he was able to cut theft by how much?

4. When people are uncertain about whether to be altruistic or pro-social where to people look for guidance?

Optional:

See this article for details.