The NYT had a cool story recently about mirrors. One bit caught my attention:
Other researchers have determined that mirrors can subtly affect human behavior, often in surprisingly positive ways. Subjects tested in a room with a mirror have been found to work harder, to be more helpful and to be less inclined to cheat, compared with control groups performing the same exercises in nonmirrored settings.
When I saw this, I wondered whether participants were aware that the mirrors were simply mirrors and not a one-way mirror with observers on the other side. I know that if I were participating in an experiment in a room with a mirror, I would assume observers were on the other side which would alter my behavior.
