Psychology lecturer Dylan Selterman of the University of Maryland first gave this question to students on their final exam in 2008, for 'extra credit.' He has posed it every year since, and so far, only one class has succeeded.
The question?
It's pretty straightforward, really:
Select whether you want 2 points or 6 points added onto your final paper grade.”
But there’s a small catch:
If more than 10% of the class selects 6 points, then no one gets any points.
Your responses will be anonymous to the rest of the class, only I will see the responses.
WHAT KIND OF PROFESSOR DOES THIS pic.twitter.com/ACtQ0FCwRm
— shahanye (@shaunhin) July 1, 2015
I am that professor. https://t.co/5OIDw7ZXxX
— Dylan Selterman (@SelterMosby) July 9, 2015
Damn you, Selterman!
The question, according to Selterman, is designed to reinforce social psychology concepts like 'tragedy of the commons' and 'the prisoner’s dilemma,' i.e. what happens when an individual acts in his or her own best interests, against the best interests of a collective, and how the outcome will ultimately depend on the actions of others.
Arguably my favourite thing about this is that Professor Selterman's Twitter username is '@SelterMosby' - which we can only presume to be an ode to youthfully over-exuberant Professor Ted Mosby from How I Met Your Mother.
The young professor has been inundated with reaction from around the world - as far away as China, in fact - in the past few days, facing the ire of students and the respect of colleagues everywhere.
In the end, more than 10% of students chose the higher option, leaving everyone without extra credit. You win again, Schmosby.
Which would you choose?
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