Choice Effects Procedure In 1976 two unimportant people set out to make one of the most important discoveries in psychology. Their published article “In Control and Glad of It “the authors; Langer, and Rodin, recall the results of an experiment they conducted. The experiment they ran included a nursing home and the effects of patients being given more “control “in their day-to-day lives. Langer and Rodin's belief were that the patients who felt they had more control over their lives would lead happier and healthier ones.
Results After three weeks had gone by, the data was analyzed and compared. Just as Rodin and Langer had believed, the data from their experiments confirmed what they had originally thought. The patients who received the “increased responsibility“ treatment were overall happier and healthier. The data collected proved what Rodin and Langer had first believed. The patients who felt they had stronger control over their lives lived happier and more carefree, which also benefited their health as well.
Method The authors picked two different floors to contrast over a three-week time period. The first floor contained the comparison patients; the patients who would not be given any special treatment. The second floor was composed of the patients who would be receiving the “increased responsibility “treatment. The increased responsibility treatment emphasized the options that each patient had while in the nursing home. This treatment gave each patient a feeling that (while they were still in a nursing home) they had control over most of their choices. They had freedom to live how they wanted too while under care.
The nurses reported the patients who received the special treatment to be more active and aware within their community. Not only did the data support Langer and Rodin's beliefs but, it showed that the comparison patients actually declined in their overall activity and wellbeing; thus, proving the authors’ point.
Control is a powerful element. Our human nature always craves to be
in control of every situation. Most elderly have been forced to give up control for others to do what's best for them. They are in a state where everything is done for them whether they like it or not. Giving back a bit of personal responsibility makes all the difference in their mental health and physical health.
Closing Remarks You can see how giving an elderly person more control over their lives can be beneficial. Judith Rodin and Langer also conducted much research of various nursing homes who tried to give their patients as much freedom as possible. Although most patients feel better not all patients are satisfied. Most nursing homes reported that the patients felt the freedom they were given was not enough. Even though the staff and doctors try their hardest to give them choices, they cannot turn back the clock. Personal power and responsibility play a vital role in how we feel about our lives. As studies have showed, those who are deprived of that right suffer not only mentally but physically as well. Rodin and Langer proved just how important control and personal responsibility is and how much it affects our mindset.