The Sweet Smell of Goodness

Need volunteers to help out at a soup kitchen? Need help building a Habitat for Humanity house? All too often, the answer you hear is "we're too busy." Now, though, scientists have found a simple, cheap, effective tool to promote volunteerism and positive behavior.

Yep, it's Windex.

Just spray the stuff (or any cleaner with a recognizable scent) and stand back. According to a recent study, people in a room that smells clean are far more likely to behave morally, volunteer to help others, and play fair than are people in a room with no special smell at all. Intriguingly, the subjects of the test didn't even notice the "clean room" smell, though they clearly acted on it.

This study builds on findings reported in 2006, which, according to EurekAlert, found "an intimate link between morality and physical cleanliness. Their 2006 paper in Science reported that transgressions activated a desire to be physically cleansed."

This fascinating study should be easy to act on — and the outcomes could be all to the good. Literally.

Photo courtesy of stock.xchng