If his friend is in psychology, there is NO way a study design like this would be ethically approved. It has to pass through his professor, and depending on the level of his degree, an ethics committee. Either way, he's lying or his friend is going to be in some serious trouble.
A student getting his graduate degree in psychology would never approve of this experiment.
This Marshall is about to get his ass handed to him. He can finally put his tongue to practical use on the sidelines.