The Price-Label Pause

Prepare six ordinary objects with their labels covered and ask a willing tester to write one expected use, one durability clue, and an estimated frequency of use for each. Reveal the prices only after those notes are locked. A second tester receives the same objects with prices visible from the start; alternate the order for later pairs.

The hypothesis is that price-first viewing will produce more cheap-or-expensive language, while use-first viewing will produce more descriptions of function and longevity. Code the words using a published list, preserve uncertain cases, and resist awarding points because someone admired the same kettle you did.

This protocol can suggest how presentation changes attention; it cannot establish what an object is worth or how anyone should spend. A useful report includes the objects, order, prompts, word categories, and raw anonymous counts so another person can reproduce the pause.

Name the use before the price names the mood.