The researchers conducted the experiment on 79 female participants. Once connected to the devices, they began to read a series of repeated phrases: insults (for example, “Linda is terrible”), compliments (for example, “Linda is impressive”) and neutral expressions (for example, “Linda is Dutch.”). Half of the participants saw these expressions with their own name, and the other half with someone else’s name. The women were told that these statements were made by three different men.
Researchers have found that even in unnatural conditions (lab, no real human interaction, and statements from fictional people), verbal abuse is painful for a person. The scientists explained that even under the conditions of the experiment, insults are perceived as mini-slaps.
Source: Ferra
