The privacy norm was studied using a variant of the lost-letter technique. Specifically, the effect of a simple assertion of confidentiality on the salience of the norm was investigated. 60 stamped, unsealed envelopes were “lost” to provide finders with an opportunity to violate or sustain privacy without fear of detection. Half of the envelopes were scamped confidential; the other half were not. The confidentiality marking did not affect frequency or speed of return or tendency toward invasion of privacy.
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