Compliance and Mood: A Field Investigation of the Impact of Embarrassment

Summary

Male and female participants exiting from a lavatory or walking in a hallway were asked to perform a small helpful behavior. Since interactions among strangers in the area surrounding the lavatory were assumed to be socially inappropriate and, thus, a source of social discomfort, it was predicted that compliance would be higher among those exiting the lavatory. Results supported this prediction, with 80 percent of those exiting the lavatory complying and 45 percent of those in the hallway condition complying. Manipulation check data were consistent with a mood enhancement model of compliance.