Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Fake Pub Studies Drinking Habits

Posted by Soulskill on from the top-shelf-research dept.

sciencehabit writes "In a pub on the campus of London South Bank University, you may think you're drinking an ice cold brew, but don't be too sure. A fake pub with barstools, beer pumps, and all the trappings of a real one was built on the university for psychologists to better understand how and why we drink. Hidden cameras and a cheerful staff — who are undercover psychology students — help analyze behavior when customers, or test subjects, pay a visit."

11 of 118 comments (clear)

  1. So a fake pub with drinks and a place to sit by Centurix · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Basically, a pub.

    --
    Task Mangler
    1. Re:So a fake pub with drinks and a place to sit by wvmarle · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Also, psychologists will frown upon any research where the subjects do not know they are part of a research project.

      Note, the subjects do not need to know (and shouldn't know) the actual research being done, just that they're part of a research project. Usually they're told that the researchers are testing one thing, while it's something entirely different that's really being tested.

    2. Re:So a fake pub with drinks and a place to sit by gstoddart · · Score: 5, Interesting

      Also, psychologists will frown upon any research where the subjects do not know they are part of a research project.

      I'm guessing it depends on the nature of the interaction.

      Some guys sitting in a pub knocking back a few can be a talkative bunch, and if you're not inducing them to do anything and serving responsibly ... then it's like Jane Goodall watching monkeys, isn't it?

      Because I bet a good bar tender can tell you more about people than your average psychologist. ;-)

      --
      Lost at C:>. Found at C.
    3. Re:So a fake pub with drinks and a place to sit by jxander · · Score: 4, Insightful

      "The difference between screwing around and science is writing it down" -Adam Savage

      --
      This signature is false.
    4. Re:So a fake pub with drinks and a place to sit by ArbitraryName · · Score: 5, Informative

      Also, psychologists will frown upon any research where the subjects do not know they are part of a research project.

      RTFA. The "pub" is in a room on the fourth floor of a university building. No one is being tricked into thinking they're in a real pub. It's just a set to help people relax and act more naturally. Every experiment performed must be approved by the university ethics committee and no one will be given enough alcohol to put them over the legal driving limit.

    5. Re:So a fake pub with drinks and a place to sit by Jmc23 · · Score: 5, Insightful

      sigh, you article readers take all the fun out of the stupid comments!

      --
      Don't complain about syntax, grammar, or spelling. There is no.hell like input on android.
    6. Re:So a fake pub with drinks and a place to sit by mjwx · · Score: 4, Funny

      Also, psychologists will frown upon any research where the subjects do not know they are part of a research project.

      Note, the subjects do not need to know (and shouldn't know) the actual research being done, just that they're part of a research project. Usually they're told that the researchers are testing one thing, while it's something entirely different that's really being tested.

      WANTED:

      Subjects for experiment who cant tell the difference between market research and an organ harvesting operation.

      Healthy type-o adults only.

      --
      Calling someone a "hater" only means you can not rationally rebut their argument.
    7. Re:So a fake pub with drinks and a place to sit by mysidia · · Score: 5, Informative

      no one will be given enough alcohol to put them over the legal driving limit.

      Real pubs aren't supposed to give anyone enough alcohol to get them drunk, either.

  2. Fake-y Bubbles by smittyoneeach · · Score: 4, Funny

    Fake-y Bubbles
    In your glass
    Make ya wanna
    Scrape your [sorry, couldn't think of a rhyme]
    Burma Shave

    --
    Get thee glass eyes, and, like a scurvy politician, seem to see things thou dost not.--King Lear
  3. Psychology students as waiters by SpankiMonki · · Score: 5, Funny

    Great! Now the students will have some training for the jobs they'll end up in anyway after graduating with a psych degree.

  4. Re:What temperature? by quenda · · Score: 4, Informative

    The British don't drink their beer ice cold.

    Not that old myth! What you and I call beer, the British call lager, and drink it chilled like everyone else.
    But there is an extra option: if you go to a real English pub, and order a traditional ale, it is served at cellar temperature.
    These days, lager is much more popular.