[Aqueous]

One participant shocked themselves 190 times. I'd say I'd concede curiosity is the main factor the first one or two times.

[Estragon]

Yes, but the mean number of times was less than 1.5, with maximum 4 if you exclude that outlier. The vast majority of cases are perfectly compatible with curiosity, a scenario the paper ignored completely, and which could have been at least partially addressed simply by asking participants why they pressed the button.

This is an OK study, sexed up in a very cynical and ignorant way.

[x3c]

Isn't it also a false dilemma? I'd be lost in my thoughts and will shock myself just for the kick of it too, maybe as a curiosity or maybe in a masochistic way.

[sullyj3]

I'm really interested in what was going through that participant's mind.