Exposure to Money Boosts Productivity

Here's a novel idea for improving your productivity: post pictures of money in your office. Expect side effects, however. Common ones included being less helpful to others and decreased acts of charity. Luckily for your social life and non-profits, all effects diminish after thirty minutes.

In nine laboratory experiments, 500 participants completed tasks while being exposed to money in some form, such as monopoly dollars or a computer screen-saver depicting currency. Those exposed worked significantly harder and were more reticent about asking for help than those not exposed to money, the researchers said. They were also significantly less helpful to fellow participants and preferred to stay at a greater physical distance from others.

Tests were conducted with students at Minnesota, Florida State and the University of British Columbia. Kathleen Vohs is the University of Minnesota marketing professor who initiated the study.

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