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Have You Ever Pranked Strangers Using Gaze?
When I was young(er) (I don't do this anymore, I swear. Really. It's probably been years. I think), my sisters and I, and then later various friends, used to think it was hysterically funny to all stare at some point in space where there wasn't _anything_ at all, and then watch other people look there, too. Obvs, we did this in public places. Equally obvious, this is a way to exploit innate gaze following to humorous effect (if you have my sense of humor).
Have you ever done this? Were you ever the initiator? Was it funny? Why?
I've done it. I think I "learned" this as a game (likely from my cousin J.), but I definitely initiated it with other people later. It was funny because we could "make" other people do something and then they'd be all confused and not understand what had happened (har de har har -- yeah, I'm not proud of this and, like I said, I don't do this any more. Altho I can't swear I won't teach my kids to play this game.).
I assumed this was a normal childhood game that everyone played. However, I am increasingly suspicious it's actually not that normal at all. Any takers?
ETA: Apparently Milgram did this. Now I feel even more ashamed.
http://psycnet.apa.org/index.cfm?fa=search.displayRecord&uid=1970-00589-001
Have you ever done this? Were you ever the initiator? Was it funny? Why?
I've done it. I think I "learned" this as a game (likely from my cousin J.), but I definitely initiated it with other people later. It was funny because we could "make" other people do something and then they'd be all confused and not understand what had happened (har de har har -- yeah, I'm not proud of this and, like I said, I don't do this any more. Altho I can't swear I won't teach my kids to play this game.).
I assumed this was a normal childhood game that everyone played. However, I am increasingly suspicious it's actually not that normal at all. Any takers?
ETA: Apparently Milgram did this. Now I feel even more ashamed.
http://psycnet.apa.org/index.cfm?fa=search.displayRecord&uid=1970-00589-001