The chapter listed four ways that people react to a measurement that affects them: doing what the measurer wanted; doing something slightly different that is measured well; lying; and avoiding being measured. Note which type of behavior you think is being exhibited in each of 1 to 7 below. Also note if there are unintended consequences.

A university decided to collect survey information from students about the quality of the teaching by the professors. This information was to be used both to identify problems and for promotion and compensation decisions about professors. Surveys would be counted as long as there were at least 10 students responding. Professors distributed the surveys in class, and had a student collect the surveys and return them to the administration for processing.

1. Some professors started giving out cookies to students in the class before the surveys to put the students in a good mood.

2. Some professors tried to convince students who were doing poorly to drop the class before the time in the semester when the surveys were given out. Only students still in the class were counted.

3. Some professors spent more time preparing their classes, to ensure they were interesting and relevant.

4. Some professors spent extra time meeting students outside class, and giving extra help. This reduced the amount of time the professors were able to spend on research, and they published fewer articles.

5. Some professors made their courses easier, so more students would be happy with the course.

6. Some professors had the student who collected the surveys take out the four worst ratings and destroy them, before submitting the rest of the surveys to the administration.

7. A professor with a class of 11 students waited until a day when two students were absent to distribute the survey, knowing that the administration would ignore the results when there were only nine students.