Metallic Metals Act
Encyclopedia
The Metallic Metals Act is a non-existent piece of proposed legislation that featured prominently in an experiment conducted in 1947 by Sam Gill.
Which of the following statements most closely coincides with your opinion of the Metallic
Metals Act?
Of those asked, 70% expressed an opinion despite the fact that no such act existed and, therefore, the respondents could have no actual knowledge. The responses (for those 70%) were:
An element of hoax
ing is common in psychological studies
, but questions about the methodology of Gill's study and its publication in a nonscientific venue give rise to the possibility that not only the Act, but the study itself, may have had an element of hoax, however harmless. The truth may be difficult to ascertain.
The Experiment
According to an article in Tide magazine (14 March 1947), Gill asked a number of persons the following question:Which of the following statements most closely coincides with your opinion of the Metallic
Metals Act?
- It would be a good move on the part of the US.
- It would be a good thing, but should be left to the individual states
- It’s all right for foreign countries, but should not be required here.
- It is of no value at all
Of those asked, 70% expressed an opinion despite the fact that no such act existed and, therefore, the respondents could have no actual knowledge. The responses (for those 70%) were:
- It would be a good move on the part of the US. (21.4%)
- It would be a good thing, but should be left to the individual states (58.6%)
- It’s all right for foreign countries, but should not be required here. (15.7%)
- It is of no value at all (4.3%)
Criticism
This study may be criticized on a number of points. Reportedly theTide article does not disclose the study's sample size nor the method by which participants were selected.. The study is cited as an example of bias induced by forced choice. The study, and the Act, are nonetheless referred to in textbooks and other works, some of whom are listed in the references below.An element of hoax
Hoax
A hoax is a deliberately fabricated falsehood made to masquerade as truth. It is distinguishable from errors in observation or judgment, or rumors, urban legends, pseudosciences or April Fools' Day events that are passed along in good faith by believers or as jokes.-Definition:The British...
ing is common in psychological studies
Psychology
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society...
, but questions about the methodology of Gill's study and its publication in a nonscientific venue give rise to the possibility that not only the Act, but the study itself, may have had an element of hoax, however harmless. The truth may be difficult to ascertain.