Can you spot the difference?

Hmm... an interesting experiment.

From: http://news.omy.sg/News/Local%2BNews/Story/OMYStory201104250036-239761.html

Different girlfriend, but S'poreans fail to notice

ABOUT seven in 10 Singaporeans failed an alertness experiment conducted under the guise of a photo-taking request in the Central Business District last month.

The test: To get an unsuspecting passer-by to take a photograph of a couple.

In between shots, while the guy pretends to examine the first image captured then asks for a retake the woman switches place with another. The two women sported different hairstyles, outfits or were even of different races.

Still, 26 out of the 38 test subjects failed to notice the switch.

The results of the field study conducted by Singapore Management University (SMU) students were released last week at the Brand's Alertness Campaign press conference.

The study was based on a cognitive phenomenon called change blindness, which occurs when a person is not alert to the changes that happen in front of him. The SMU professor in charge of the project was not surprised by the number of people caught off guard.

Professor Luan Shenghua of SMU's School of Social Sciences said the results are consistent with those gathered in other parts of the world, such as the United States.

He said: "It's due to information-processing limitation. They were probably preoccupied with something they considered more important, like their jobs or family."

Project leader and SMU student Lim Chia Yeo, 23, said: "With other issues on their minds, people tend to not pay attention to trivial matters, such as in this case, when a stranger asks you to take a photo."

The entire process was filmed by famed local film director Eric Khoo.

He was initially worried that Singaporeans would not fall for the ruse.

Khoo, 44, said: "If there was a success rate of 10 per cent, I would have been happy. As time went by, I was pleasantly surprised."

When my paper asked the director if he would have noticed the change himself, he added: "Hard to say, probably not. I'll probably be one of the sotongs."

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If it were me, I think I would fail to notice the change too haha. Mainly because I don't really pay attention to the stranger(s) whom I'm asked to take photos for. But it's not very true to say that this is because I'm preoccupied with other thoughts like job (or school) and family (or friends).

If I'm interrupted by the stranger while being with other friends, of course my mind will still be thinking about the ongoing conversation. It really depends on what we are involved in at the moment we are asked to take the photo. If I'm alone, it will depend on what I'm going to do, or what I've done. For example, after an exam my mind will be filled with exam questions on the journey back home. So it's rather difficult to generalize our thoughts.

Of course that doesn't mean I'm totally blur when asked by someone to take a photo. Firstly, I'll learn how to operate the camera. Basically we just need to know where the shutter button and LED screen are. I never use the zoom button, even though it might be necessary at times.

Secondly I'll take note of what the person wishes to capture. Then I'll try to give my best shot possible, by adjusting the camera's position, or my position (since I don't zoom) in order to make sure everything looks perfect on the LED screen. This means most of the time my sight is focused on the LED screen, paying attention to the overall image of the photo.

Lastly I'll return the camera and ask if the photo is well-taken (I don't mind taking again to suit the person's preference). Most of the time it's fine. (Not sure if it's really fine or the person is just being nice not to trouble me to take another photo)

This is my basic train of thoughts when helping someone take photos. As you can see, my attention is not on the other people accompanying the person who requested me for help. Yea, I admit I can't concentrate on multiple things at the same time. Thus even if there is nothing in my mind the moment I'm interrupted, it does not follow that I can notice the switch.

My memory may be good, but I'm not very observant. =(