Applying for a job? Put your middle name to work. Including your middle initial makes people think you’re smarter, reports a new study published in the European Journal of Social Psychology.
In the study, 500 participants read almost the same exact scientific article. The only difference: the author. The researchers randomly changed the author’s name to David Clark, David F. Clark. David F.P. Clark, or David F.P.R. Clark.
While adding an initial might seem like an insignificant change, it had big impacts on the study’s results. After reading the article, participants deemed David F. Clark a better writer than David Clark, and thought David F.P.R. Clark was the best. The reason: Initials set up a bias in peoples’ brains, says the study’s co-author Wijnand A.P. van Tilburg (who must be really smart) of the University of Limerick in Ireland.
“Middle initials are often displayed in intellectual contexts, such as academia or business,” says van Tilburg. “Because of the close link, people automatically—but not necessarily correctly—assume that middle initials are indicative of high-intellectual performance.” And while one initial increases how smart people think you are, two or three initials boost this perception even more, he adds.
These Patrons make the Fowler Show possible ($20+ monthly donation on Patreon.com/FowlerShow) & we couldn’t do it without them!
Truthservers.com
Are you a fan of The Fowler Show? Become a Patron & help support independent media! Learn more here:
http://www.patreon.com/fowlershow
Want to help out but don’t have any money to donate? Donate your account & help us get our stories out on social media. Learn more here:
http://www.donateyouraccount.com/fowlershow
If you liked this clip, share it with your friends and hit that “like” button!
1,500 Subscriber Behind The Scenes Reward Video –
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LT9x1PvQTBU
Subscribe to our Podcast on iTunes for free!
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-richard-fowler-show/id510713880
@fowlershow
@richardafowler
http://www.facebook.com/richardfowlershow
http://www.fowlershow.com
http://fowlershow.tumblr.com/
Story: http://www.menshealth.com/fitness/simple-r-sum-trick-makes-you-instantly-appear-smarter