Psychology Archives

The Psychology of Memory: Errors and Fallacies

Is memory a fixed record of the past? Do we always recall memories in their original state? People believe their memories are untouchable, stored away, and recalled when needed in perfect condition. However, this isn’t the case. Memory errors are proof that memory isn’t a fixed record of past events—your memory of the past is affected by your feelings, opinions, and situation. Here are some of the most common fallacies and situations in which your memory is unreliable.

Coincidence and the Law of Very Large Numbers

What is the law of very large numbers? How does the law of very large numbers help explain coincidences? The law of very large numbers is one of the key concepts in probability and statistics. The concept is quite simple: with a sample that’s large enough, even the most improbable events could happen. Keep reading to learn about the law of very large numbers and how it explains coincidences and improbable events.

Reciprocity: The Psychology of Giving Back

What is the psychology behind reciprocity? Why do we feel the need to reciprocate benevolent behavior? In social psychology, reciprocity is the tendency to return a favor or a benevolent action with another benevolent action. According to Rolf Dobelli, the author of The Art of Thinking Clearly, this phenomenon is a by-product of the human need to belong to a group. Keep reading to learn about the phenomenon of reciprocity, why it occurs, and how it’s used as a tool for manipulation.

The Dangers of the Single-Cause Fallacy

What is the single cause fallacy? Why does it occur? The single cause fallacy is where you attribute an outcome to a single, simple cause. The single cause fallacy occurs because we dislike uncertainty, and a single-cause pattern provides a sense of understanding. When people feel like they understand a situation, not only are they less uncertain, but they can also better withstand any uncertainty they do feel. Keep reading to learn about the fallacy of the single cause, why it occurs, and how to overcome it.

Rolf Dobelli: What Is the Swimmer’s Body Illusion?

What is the “swimmer’s body illusion”? Is a swimmer’s physique the result of training (nurture) or the gift of genetics (nature)? The swimmer’s body illusion is a cognitive bias where you attribute a trait or characteristic to a certain activity, and not the other way around. For example, you might look at a professional swimmer’s toned body and think you can gain that same appearance by swimming. However, these individuals are so good at swimming because they already had that kind of body. Here’s why this effect occurs and how not to fall prey to it.

Understanding Social Comparison Bias

What is social comparison bias? Why do we constantly compare ourselves to others? Social comparison bias is the feeling of competitiveness and dislike towards someone who is perceived to be better than you. According to Rolf Dobelli, the author of The Art of Thinking Clearly, social comparison bias forms from group membership. Keep reading to learn about social comparison bias.

Association Fallacy: Connecting the Unconnectable

What is association bias? Why does association bias occur? Association fallacy (or association bias) is the brain’s tendency to make connections where none exist. This phenomenon is a defense mechanism: making associations allows you to evaluate risk when making decisions. Keep reading to learn about association fallacy, why it occurs, and how to overcome it.

Heuristic Psychology: Cognitive Errors & Biases

What are cognitive errors? Why does the brain make these errors, and how can you override them? Humans have evolved to pay attention to the most memorable or flashy information that comes up, rather than the most pertinent or helpful. The more conspicuous and repeated a piece of information is, the more you’ll believe it. Although it saves the brain’s resources (it takes less time and energy to accept the flashiest information), it results in cognitive errors—faulty ways of thinking that are often inaccurate and/or irrational. Here are some of the most common cognitive errors that result from the brain’s

The Reason for Unhappiness & How to Overcome It

What is the root cause of human unhappiness? Why do so many people feel unhappy despite having everything they need? According to Dalai Lama, the root cause of human unhappiness stems from misunderstanding—many people don’t really understand where their emotions—both positive and negative—stem from. The solution, he counsels, is to educate yourself both about your emotions and the circumstances that give rise to them. Here is what Dalai Lama has to say about the main reason for unhappiness and what to do about it.

The 37% Rule: How to Know When to Settle

What is the 37% rule? How can employing the 37% rule help you make better decisions? The 37% rule is designed to solve something mathematicians call an “optimal stopping problem”—something we often encounter in daily life when faced with a series of options. The 37% can help you settle down and commit to the opportunity in front of you if you don’t know what opportunities will be available in the future. Here is how the 37% rule settle on a decision and signal when to stop searching for something better.