The Behaviour Effect

Ever noticed an opticians with the name ‘Glass’ above the door?

Has it made you smile that Amy Winehouse is a famous alcoholic?

Ever wondered if it’s a coincidence that the name often suits the profession?

The New Scientist magazine coined the term “nominative determinism” to suggest that the name had an influencial role in what role the person plays.  It was first introduced in 1994 when it was remarked that a paper on incontinence in the British Journal of Urology was authored by j.w. Splatt and D. Weedon.  The suggestion is that you consciously or subconsciously are influenced into a particular career or activity simply because your name suits it.

Do we end up ‘doing what it says on the tin’ or is it just more noticable when someone is aptly named? Otherwise would Edwina Curry not be the proud owner of a takeaway?

At a more general level what effect does your name have on your actions? Recent research shows that women who have a masculine name are more likely to be successful in the legal profession.  It is understood that those given names that are readily associated with something else may well have to develop a thick skin in the playground.  Importantly names can also have an effect on how other people see that person.  Would you make the same assumptions introduced to ‘Wayne’ as opposed to being introduced to ‘Hubert’?

Richard Wiseman, a psychologist, conducted research that demonstrated the strong perceptions we have about names and how we associate them with success, luck and attractiveness.  Results included; Elizabeth and James being considered the most successful sounding first names, Lucy and Jack the luckiest and Sophie and Ryan the most attractive.

Does this perception actually influence our behaviour?