Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Need to Think Hard? Hold a Big Clipboard

Holding heavy objects makes us bear down, study suggests

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Aug 26, 2009 12:00 PM CDT

(Newser) – Holding heavier objects could affect your thoughts and how you deal with problems. A University of Amsterdam researcher broke subjects into two groups, giving half a 1.5-pound clipboard and the rest a 2.3-pound clipboard. He then asked them several questions and discovered that the mere 0.8-pound difference had a significant impact on responses, with those with the heavier clipboards seeing things as more important, writes Ed Yong on Science Blogs.

The heavy clipboard crew thought foreign currencies were worth more, and thought a social justice case was more pressing. Asked to make decisions about a local subway system, they were more decisive and confident in their answers. The effects were small, but statistically significant. The researcher theorizes that in childhood, we learn that heavy objects require more effort to deal with, and that impression sticks.

Heavy clipboards make things seem more important. (Shutterstock)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Scientists Spot Trouble With Online Dating

'Supermarkets of love' no better than bars for meeting people: Study

(NEWSER) - Online dating could help you find your perfect match—but your chances aren't any better than they'd be at a bar, a study suggests. You can't tell much about the people listed on sites like Match.com. Browsing such lists "overloads people and they end up shutting down," the psychology professor behind the study tells Reuters . It amounts to shopping at "supermarkets of love": When you have too many choices, you make bad decisions. More»

Exercising Makes Bosses Nicer

Those who hit the gym don't take stress out on subordinates: study

(NEWSER) - Got a crabby boss? Maybe you should get your office to chip in on a gym membership. Bosses who work out are less likely to mistreat their employees, according to a recent study in the Journal of Business and Psychology , spotted by Scientific American . Researchers had 98 MBA students fill out surveys on their bosses' behaviors, and had bosses fill out a separate survey about their stress levels and exercise habits. More»

Low IQ Linked to Racism, Conservatism, Study Claims

'Sense of order' appeals to those with lower intelligence, researchers say

(NEWSER) - Children with low IQs are more likely to embrace conservative ideologies and to be prejudiced against gays and people of other races as they get older, according to research certain to spark a few heated conversations. The researchers say people with lower intelligence tend to be attracted to the structure and authoritarianism of right-wing ideologies, LiveScience reports. Social conservatives were defined as people who agreed with statements like "Give law breakers stiffer sentences" and "Schools should teach children to obey authority." More»

Key to 'Gaydar': Facial Symmetry?

Guesses at sexual orientation tied to face shape: study

(NEWSER) - Wondering why you instinctively consider someone gay or straight? Try looking at the shape of the person's face. A new study says that people who identify as straight have a more symmetrical face than those who identify as gay. Researchers found this out by having 40 subjects identify the sexuality of 60 people after looking at their photographs, ScienceDaily reports. More»

Marriage Won't Make You Happier: Study

At least, not compared to just living with your partner

(NEWSER) - If you're living with your significant other, don't worry too much about tying the knot, because it won't make you any happier, according to a new study. The study followed 2,737 single men and women for six years, watching as 896 of them either got married or moved in with a lover, Science Daily reports. The results? Both married couples and cohabitators exhibited higher levels of happiness and fewer depression symptoms than single people—but married couples didn't have an advantage over those just cohabitating. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Need to Think Hard? Hold a Big Clipboard

Holding heavy objects makes us bear down, study suggests

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

weight • research • psychology

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Scientists Spot Trouble With Online Dating

'Supermarkets of love' no better than bars for meeting people: Study

Exercising Makes Bosses Nicer

Those who hit the gym don't take stress out on subordinates: study

Low IQ Linked to Racism, Conservatism, Study Claims

'Sense of order' appeals to those with lower intelligence, researchers say

Key to 'Gaydar': Facial Symmetry?

Guesses at sexual orientation tied to face shape: study

Marriage Won't Make You Happier: Study

At least, not compared to just living with your partner

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?

Need to Think Hard? Hold a Big Clipboard

Holding heavy objects makes us bear down, study suggests

Bookmark & Share

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

weight • research • psychology

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Scientists Spot Trouble With Online Dating

'Supermarkets of love' no better than bars for meeting people: Study

Exercising Makes Bosses Nicer

Those who hit the gym don't take stress out on subordinates: study

Low IQ Linked to Racism, Conservatism, Study Claims

'Sense of order' appeals to those with lower intelligence, researchers say

Key to 'Gaydar': Facial Symmetry?

Guesses at sexual orientation tied to face shape: study

Marriage Won't Make You Happier: Study

At least, not compared to just living with your partner

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?