Skip to main content
The Incentives Lab
HBT-COG-0265 · Dimension COG · Cognition

Either-Or Trap (more refined false dichotomy)

Constraining the option set to bias the decision.

Definition Fallacy·Logical Fallacy·Grade B·stub· enriching…

Scientific Definition

Constraining the option set to bias the decision.

Plain-English Definition

Constraining the option set to bias the decision.

Feynman Explanation

Two options is a sales technique, not a strategy.

Core Principle

Constraining the option set to bias the decision.

Mechanisms

Psychological

Constraining the option set to bias the decision.

Behavioral Economic

Pending editorial review.

Neurological

Pending editorial review.

Evolutionary

Pending editorial review.

Sociological

Pending editorial review.

Computational

Pending editorial review.

Systems

Pending editorial review.

Inputs (Triggers)

Pending editorial review.

Outputs (Behaviors)

Pending editorial review.

Behavioral Signature

Two options is a sales technique, not a strategy.

Examples

Everyday
  • 'Either we acquire them or we lose.' (Also possible: do nothing. Or partner.)
Modern (Organizational)
  • Option-set engineering is more powerful than option-set analysis.
Historical

Pending editorial review.

Famous Experiments

Pending editorial review.

Design Principles

Pending editorial review.

Measurement Approaches

Pending editorial review.

Evidence

Evidence Grade
B (A strongest → E speculative)
Replication
★★★☆☆
Intervention Confidence
3 / 5
Consensus
Pending editorial review (HBT v1.0 auto-seed).
Limitations
Pending editorial review (HBT v1.0 auto-seed).
Open Research Questions

Pending editorial review.

Primary References

Pending editorial review.

Signature Section

The Perverse Incentive Lens™

How this behavior is exploited — and how to redesign around it.

Exploitation
Option-set engineering is more powerful than option-set analysis.
Amplifying Incentives
Option-set engineering is more powerful than option-set analysis.
Org Failure Modes
Option-set engineering is more powerful than option-set analysis.
Societal Failure Modes
Pending editorial review (HBT v1.0 auto-seed).
Ethical Considerations
Pending editorial review (HBT v1.0 auto-seed).
Redesign Strategies
Pending editorial review (HBT v1.0 auto-seed).
Diagnostic Questions

Pending editorial review.

Warning Signs

Pending editorial review.

Red Flags

Pending editorial review.

Intervention Playbook
Individual
Pending editorial review (HBT v1.0 auto-seed).
Team
Pending editorial review (HBT v1.0 auto-seed).
Organization
Pending editorial review (HBT v1.0 auto-seed).
Policy
Pending editorial review (HBT v1.0 auto-seed).
AI Implications
Detection
Pending editorial review (HBT v1.0 auto-seed).
Measurement
Pending editorial review (HBT v1.0 auto-seed).
Mitigation
Pending editorial review (HBT v1.0 auto-seed).
Responsible Use
Pending editorial review (HBT v1.0 auto-seed).

Interactive Mini Network

Click any neighbor to re-center the graph and follow the threads of connection.

HBT-COG-0265 · COG
Either-Or Trap (more refined false dichotomy)
ETBTBegging the QuestionCRCircular ReasoningCFComposition FallacyCFContinuum FallacyDRDefinitional RetreatDFDivision FallacyEFEtymological FallacyFEFalse EquivalenceMGMiddle Ground FallacyMFMoralistic Fallacy

Knowledge Graph Neighbors

Version History

v1.1.0 · 2026-06-28Initial auto-seed from corpus.