Experiments

Studies In Human Behavior: Experiment A

July/August 2009

In which a person trying to retire for the night finds his or her bed impossible to enter. (This experiment is better known to summer campers as "short-sheeting a bed.")

Materials: A bed with sheets

Procedure:

  1. Remove all stuffed animals, pillows, covers, and the top sheet from the bed. Leave the fitted sheet (the one with the stretchy corners that covers the whole mattress)
  2. Lay the top sheet back on the bed. Normally, you would tuck in the bottom edge of the sheet under the mattress. Instead, tuck the top edge of the sheet under the top of the mattress.
  3. Grasp the two bottom corners of the sheet and fold them
    upward, stopping about one foot below the top of the mattress. Tuck in the sides of the sheet. Now you've created a short pocket into which your target will climb.
  4. Replace all covers, pillows, etc. exactly as they were before. Wait for results.

Questions:

  • Rate your target's reaction on a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 is "amused," 5 is "not amused" and 10 is "enraged and/or throwing pillows."
  • Siblings sometimes make better targets than parents, because they become at least as upset but can't ground you. On the other hand, siblings are more likely to retaliate.


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This was so funny to play on my sister and her friends! They were having a sleepover, and while they were walking to Blockbusters, I did everything you said to do! I would definetely rate them a 9!! You're right, my sister did retaliate, but it was SO worth it!

submitted by Amy C., age 11, Nutley, NJ
(September 13, 2009 - 3:27 pm)

I did this to my little brother, but he is so short he didnt see I had done it to him.

Also did it to my sister, and she was about 8 mad.

Parents didn't care. 

 

submitted by Brianna B, age almost 12, SC
(October 11, 2009 - 11:25 am)

I used this on my sister, the next day she replied to me "that trick was lame!" The next night I found my bed sort-sheeted. A++

submitted by Trainer T., age 12, Williamstown, MA
(March 4, 2010 - 7:53 pm)

I'm thinking about tryin this on my sister, but she doesn't even use them! So im not so sure about it.

submitted by Luke N., age 12, Orlando FL
(March 7, 2010 - 12:44 pm)

I did this to my sister, but she was too sleepy to notice.

submitted by Grace R., age 10, Pinckney,MI
(August 8, 2010 - 4:35 pm)

Oh, I have GOT to try this on my sister on April Fool's day.... *laughs evily while rubbing hands together in anticipation*

submitted by Maggie, age 12, Camp Half-Blood, Athena Cabin
(October 17, 2010 - 9:21 pm)

I would so totally try this, but my brother doesn't use sheets and my parents would probably kill me.

submitted by Queen Aida, age 7 eons, Neptune, the universe
(October 25, 2010 - 8:12 pm)

If my sister wasn't constantly in her room, I would do this. I expect her reaction would be 11 (screaming, punching, biting, etc.) But it does seem really funny. (sigh)

submitted by David B., age 13, Williams, OR
(January 4, 2011 - 2:03 pm)

I would hate to have your sister! Mine might start crying if I time it right. Hee hee... can't wait. I'd do it tonight, but she just got in. But tomorrow, her bed is unsafe. Oh, wait, I have to do it on Thursday. Piano. :-(. But her bedding is unsafe...

submitted by Suzy V., age 10, 11 in May, Madison, WI
(January 18, 2011 - 9:00 pm)

good job

 

 

submitted by Luke T, age 8, oragon wi
(January 23, 2011 - 2:16 pm)

I would do it to my (mortal) sister, but her room is so messy she doesn't even make the bed. And Maggie, how about an Apollo Cabin vs. Athena Cabin archery tournament? unless your scared. here's a haikou:

Athena Cabin

Apollo is much better 

At , well, everything 

submitted by Flora A., Daughter of Apollo, age 12, Camp Half-Blood, New York
(March 25, 2011 - 12:13 pm)

Oh, you're on. I would say this in rhyme, except I'm worse than Crraw at poetry. No offense intended.

*shoots arrows and gets 27 points out of 30*

submitted by Maggie/GeekGirl, age 13, Camp Half-Blood, New York
(March 31, 2011 - 10:36 pm)

THIS TRICK IS AWESOME! It worked! My sister's reaction was about an 8. No pillows were thrown, but she gave me her deluxe "you are evil" look. Hehehe.

Oh, and I thought of a haiku -

Oh, you are so on.

We dominate Apollo

Even when we're sleeping.

Also:

Please excuse my bad

Poetry. I failed that part

Of my reading class.

submitted by GeekGirl, age 13, Chad's laboratory
(April 2, 2011 - 5:37 pm)

OMG Athena Cabin! Join Poseidon Cabin and we will give you half our shower times and precious pearls to pay for your archetecture!

submitted by Catherine S. Daughter of Poseidon, age 13, Camp Half-Blood, New York
(April 7, 2011 - 8:25 pm)

when I was littler, we always called this an 'Apple Pie Bed"

(Good luck throwing that one, Koko)

submitted by Eli ., age 12, Silverthorne, CO
(May 17, 2011 - 7:20 am)

Maggie! We must fight the Apollo cabin peeps. We PWN!!!!!!!

submitted by Suzy V, age 11, I moved to Camp Half-Blood, Athena cabin.
(June 18, 2011 - 3:18 pm)

Whats this about the camp half blood?

anyway...im going 2 do this on my 8 yr old sister and she will freak!!! 

submitted by Sophia :), age 11 in august, NJ
(July 7, 2011 - 12:36 pm)

Cool! might make it on to my list of this-always-works-and-constantly-owns-or-soaks-anyone list along with this:

[Sorry, no links to outside sites, please! --Ed.]

submitted by William g., age 10, montclair
(November 8, 2011 - 4:44 pm)

I realy want to do this to my sister... but she all ready knows the procedure... and she doesn't use top sheets...nobody in my family does...:(:(:(

submitted by Emily P, age one month until 11, Sloatsburg,NY
(November 22, 2011 - 6:00 pm)