Pop Culture Frenzy, Round 41

Welcome once again to Pop Culture Frenzy. 

Our question today involves a research study at Hiroshima University in Japan that suggests that pictures of particular things help people focus more clearly on tasks. In the study, participants were asked to perform tasks such as using tweezers to grasp tiny objects and searching for a digit in a numeric table.

The subjects then viewed a set of photographs and performed the tasks a second time.  Their performance was the same after viewing some images.  After viewing other images, they performed with more alacrity.

Name one of these magic performance enhancing images.
Fluffy?

 

Flowers?

 

 

Hostmaster:  incorrect.

Bryan?

Porn?

Hostmaster:  incorrect. 

Molly?

Santa?

Hostmaster:  incorrect.

Cyndi?



 

A photo of themselves?

 

 

 

 



 

People motivated by their own images

 carry mirrors.  Right, Cyndi?

 

 

 

 

 

You are so derisive, Fluffy.

Just because you take no pride in

your appearance doesn't make it wrong.

 

 

 

  

Porn selfies?

 

 

 

 

 

Hostmaster:  incorrect.  We've gotten off on an annoying tangent.  Let's get back to the game.

Molly?

 



 

Squirrels?

 

 

Hostmaster:  incorrect. 

Bryan?

 

 

  Dogs?

 

 

Hostmaster:  close.

Fluffy?

 

 

 

Puppies?

 

 

Hostmaster:  correct.

 

 

 

 

 

 Baby squirrels too?

 

 

 

 

Hostmaster:  yes, yes.  The study participants found pictures of baby animals "cute".  Researchers figure the cuteness of such big eyed critters makes people "feel good" thus improving their performance. 

 

 

 

 This might explain the popularity

of the horrific Hello Kitty

 

 

 

 

 And Pokemon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shame on you.  You

have no respect for

Japanese culture.

 

 Hostmaster, how come baby birds aren't cute?

 

 

 

 

 

 They don't have big eyes, I guess. 

Who cares.  Adult birds are the ultimate

 in strength and beauty.

Just look at me.

 

 

 

 

 

  Baby Godzilla is cute.

 

 

 

 

Round 41

Fluffy/Molly  18

Bryan/Cyndi   16

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 Dear Readers,

My apologies for the strange drifting words.  I fixed them.  All alignment was in order.  Then the pictures all drifted to the left.  I centered them.  Then some of the words drifted again.  In the interest of keeping from burying my fist in the monitor I have given up "fixing" for now.  Who knows, maybe it will all spontaneously realign.

Sincerely,
LB