Case Studies

Jack Parks was your average 18 year old college freshman. He tried studying hard, but never seemed to earn above a “C” in any of his classes. He tried dating while at school, but the girls always seemed to treat him more like a friend than anything.

With his slight build, soft features, 127 pound weight and shoulder length blonde hair, he was nothing like the athletic guys the girls all seemed to want. By midterm, he had pretty much given up on dating.

The only thing that kept him from dropping out was his best friend, JJ, otherwise known as Josephine Johnson. The two had grown up together and were practically inseparable. They had attended grade school through high school together and then enrolled at Berkshire College together. People often thought they were related because of their similarities.

JJ was an inch taller than Jack and weighed in at 115. Her auburn hair was slightly longer that Jack’s. She had managed to get a sports scholarship, but it was still tough making ends meet.

Because she was a tomboy, and on the softball team, people assumed she was a lesbian, which she wasn’t. She did get a laugh when the coach ask her if Jack would be interested in joining the team. After explaining that Jack was a guy, the coach just shrugged it off.

One day, while JJ was looking at a notice board in her apartment building, she spotted a request for subjects to participate in a psychology study that paid $250 a week. Taking the notice with her, she started walking toward her apartment while dialing her phone.

“Psychology department, Professor Ken Hart speaking,” said a voice on the other end.

“I’m, yes, I’m calling in regards to the $250 a week study?”

“Okay.” Professor Hart said. “First I’ll need some basic information. What is your name, miss?”

“Jo Johnson, but I go by JJ.”

“That’s fine. Are you a freshman or sophomore?”

“A freshman,” JJ replied. “Why is that important?”

Professor Hart laughed. “It’s not. It’s just that we usually get freshmen and sophomores applying because they are most strapped for cash! Next question, are you willing to participate in a blind study? Meaning, you won’t actually know if you are a test subject or just a control.”

“Sure,” JJ replied. “As long as it pays the same.”

“Yes it does. And for the last question, are you willing to bring a friend along to participate? We like to do this in pairs. And neither of you will know if you’re a test subject or not.”

Immediately thinking of Jack, JJ replied, “Sure, I can bring a friend who is just as broke as I am,” she laughed.

“Can you tell me their name?”

Of course, it’s Jacky Parks,” JJ said, unconsciously using the nickname she had given Jack years ago.

“And I assume all Jackie’s information is the same as yours?”

“Yes, it is!”

“Alright then, I’ll expect both of you to be here tomorrow morning at 9am. I will go over everything with you then. Once you are both informed I will have you sign the forms and receive all relevant materials.”

“We’ll be there!”

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As soon as Ken hung up the phone, he immediately started to enter all the information he had simply written down. He had discovered early on in his career that people often associated the sound of a keyboard in the background as lack of interest in a conversation.

Opening 2 tabs on his computer, he entered Jo in one and Jackie in the other. Activating a program that allowed the user to enter identical information into multiple files.

Year: Sophomore

Amount: $250

Active/Control: Active

Group designation: Beta 1

He then hit save and powered down the computer.

Depending on how the interviews with the 2 girls went in the morning, he hoped he had the last of the subjects he needed for his subliminal programming study.

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A few hours later, Jack and JJ were hanging in JJ’s apartment.

“Hey, Jacky, you want to make some easy money,” JJ asked.

“Sure, as long as it’s legal,” Jack responded.

“Oh, it’s legal. I signed us off for a psych study. Pays $250 a week!”

Jack started **** on his water. “A psych study? Why? And more to the point, WHY?”

“It’s easy money. We probably won’t even be test subjects. Just members of the control group. Besides, it’s $250 A WEEK! And you know you definitely need the money. And they want people to sign up in pairs, so if you don’t, I can’t!”

“What exactly are we taking part in,” Jack wanted to know.

“Beats me. Probably just analyzing us a few times a week and we get paid. Please say you’ll do it Jacky?”

“I’ll think about it.”