This document discusses an experiment to test whether material or experiential purchases make people happier. It explains that the experiment would randomly assign people to two groups, having one group write about an experiential purchase and the other group write about a material purchase. By ensuring the groups are alike in every way except for the different treatment, any differences in outcomes between the groups must be due to the different treatment of writing about an experience versus a material good. The document asks for any problems or questions about this proposed experiment.

1. Our question:
Do material or
experiential purchases
make you happier?
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2. What are all the things
you think might affect a
person’s happiness?
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3. Control of variables
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4. Why can’t you do this
with people?
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5. Big idea: Randomized
Samples
group A group B
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6. On average, alike in
every way
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7. Now give different
treatment
•Group A:Write about an
experience
•Group B:Write about a
material good
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8. Different outcomes must be
due to different treatment
group A
group B
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9. Problems? Questions?
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