Science Archives

The Zeigarnik Effect: The Psychology of Memory

What is the Zeigarnik effect? Why do we tend to forget projects we are done with? In psychology, the Zeigarnik effect is the tendency to recall unfinished or interrupted tasks more easily than tasks that haven’t yet been completed. According to Rolf Dobelli, the author of The Art of Thinking Clearly, the brain does this for efficiency—once the task is complete, it deems it unimportant and discards it to free up mental space. Keep reading to learn about the Zeigarnik effect, why it happens, and how to overcome it.

The Endowment Effect: What It Is and Why It Happens

You can heal with love. Discover how the love you feel in your heart can improve your physical health and help you overcome illness.

What is the endowment effect? Why does it occur? The endowment effect is the tendency to assign a higher value to an item because it belongs to you. The endowment effect stems from loss aversion. Once something is in your possession, you fear losing it, which makes you value the item more. Keep reading to learn about the psychology behind the endowment effect.

The Dangers of the Sample Selection Bias

What is self-selection bias? How does self-selection bias influence research findings? Sample selection bias is a common issue in psychological studies that involve statistical analysis. Specifically, people only join studies they’re comfortable responding to, which alters your data. Those who might provide embarrassing or somehow “undesirable” responses simply won’t take part, narrowing your study’s scope and skewing the results. Here’s how sample selection bias skews research results and how to work around it.

Exponential Growth: Meaning + Examples

What is exponential growth? What are some real-world examples of exponential growth? Exponential growth is a complex math concept that many people don’t instinctively understand. Yet, the idea is pretty simple: Exponential growth simply means that a number doubles at regular intervals. Let’s take a closer look at the meaning of exponential growth and a few examples.

Rolf Dobelli: What Is Social Proof?

What is social proof? Is it always a good idea to follow the crowd? Social proof is a psychosocial phenomenon whereby people copy others’ behavior before participating in that behavior themselves. This tendency had survival value in the past: If everyone ran away, you ran too because there was probably a predator nearby. However, in modern times, most of our decisions are not life-or-death decisions, and following the crowd can often lead you astray. Here’s why, in modern times, social proof can often do more harm than good.

Crash Course: What Is Transactional Analysis?

What is Transactional Analysis? Why do humans crave recognition? What are the three ego states? Transactional Analysis is a psychoanalytic theory and a method of analyzing social interactions. At its heart is the concept of the three ego states: the adult, the child, and the parent. Keep reading to learn about the Transactional Analysis theory and how to use it to analyze interactions.

Ambiguity Aversion Bias: Better the Devil You Know

What is ambiguity aversion bias? Why do people go to such great lengths to avoid ambiguity? Ambiguity aversion bias is the root of the adage “better the devil you know.” Even if the situation is bad, you’d rather stay than face the uncertainty of leaving. Here’s why we go to such great lengths to avoid uncertainty.

Authority Fallacy: Why We Do What the Higher-Ups Say

What is the authority fallacy? Why do we do what the higher-ups say? The authority fallacy is a logical bias related to social proof. It is the natural inclination to listen to an authority figure, even if they’re trying to make you do something you normally wouldn’t. Keep reading to learn about authority bias, why it happens, and how to overcome it.

Too Many Options: Paralysis of Choice

Three Keys to Making Better Decisions in Life

Have you ever struggled to make a decision because there were too many options to choose from? How does having too many options impair decision-making? Most people think that having more options to choose from is better than having fewer. However, having too many options can be just as bad as not having enough of them. Here’s how having too many options causes paralysis of choice and impairs decision-making.

How Bias Towards Action Can Lead to Recklessness

What is action bias? Is being action-oriented a good thing? Action bias is the tendency to take action rather than waiting for a better opportunity or more information. While the bias towards action is better than procrastination, it may lead to hasty and reckless decisions. Here’s why bias towards action can sometimes do more harm than good.