According to a new study, it’s not so that you can show off your tot’s adorably chubby cheeks to family and friends, or to have in case she gets lost at the grocery store and you need a photo to provide to police. Rather, researchers found that if you lose your wallet you have a better chance of getting it back if you have pictures of your young children in it.
Recently, a team of scientists dropped 240 wallets in the streets of Scotland, with an even number of the following photos clearly visible: a smiling toddler, a cute puppy, a happy family or a contented elderly couple. Other wallets contained no pictures, but did include a card indicating the owner had donated money to charity. In addition, each wallet was stuffed with identical items, such as raffle tickets, membership cards, but no cash or other identifying information.
In the end 88 percent of the wallets that contained pictures of the sweet tot were sent back. Next came the puppy, the family and the elderly couple, with 53 per cent, 48 and 28 respectively. Meanwhile, the lowest return rates came for the wallets, which contained the charity card and no picture.
Basically, the study found that when faced with the photo of the cute kid, people were far more likely to send the wallet back. In fact, only one in ten were hard-hearted enough not to do so. With no picture to tug at the emotions, just one in seven were sent back.
According to researchers, the result reflects a “compassionate instinct towards vulnerable infants.”
Translation: The pic of the smiling child triggered a feeling of empathy in random people.
Bottom line: If you want to increase the chances of your wallet being returned if it gets lost, stick in a photo of the cutest baby you can find, and make sure the picture is prominently displayed.
Do you carry photos of your kids in your wallet?