Scientific Definition
Underestimating how common our positive traits and behaviors are.
Plain-English Definition
Underestimating how common our positive traits and behaviors are.
Feynman Explanation
We're all uniquely above average.
Core Principle
Underestimating how common our positive traits and behaviors are.
Mechanisms
Pending editorial review.
Underestimating how common our positive traits and behaviors are.
Pending editorial review.
Pending editorial review.
Pending editorial review.
Pending editorial review.
Differentiation strategies based on supposed-rare traits often aren't unique.
Inputs (Triggers)
Pending editorial review.
Outputs (Behaviors)
Pending editorial review.
Behavioral Signature
We're all uniquely above average.
Examples
- Every founder thinking their work ethic is exceptional.
- Differentiation strategies based on supposed-rare traits often aren't unique.
Pending editorial review.
Famous Experiments
Pending editorial review.
Design Principles
- Benchmark traits against actual industry baselines.
Measurement Approaches
Pending editorial review.
Evidence
Pending editorial review.
Pending editorial review.
The Perverse Incentive Lens™
How this behavior is exploited — and how to redesign around it.
- Benchmark traits against actual industry baselines.
Pending editorial review.
Pending editorial review.
Interactive Mini Network
Click any neighbor to re-center the graph and follow the threads of connection.
Knowledge Graph Neighbors
Auto-linked to the rest of the Human Behavior Taxonomy by family, domain, dimension, and shared keywords.
We accept vague, general statements as personally meaningful.
We come to like people we've done a favor for, more than people who've helped us.
Subconscious preference for numbers (and letters) that appear in our own name or birthday.
A persuasive message produces the opposite of its intended effect.
The threat of retaliation suppresses legitimate speech or action.
Higher rates of mistreatment toward stepchildren than biological children.
Renewed interest in a stimulus when a novel stimulus is introduced.
We recognize faces from our own race more accurately than others.
We accept vague, positive personality descriptions as highly accurate.
People change behavior when they know they are being observed.
Competent people become more likable after a small visible mistake.
A group decides on a course of action that nobody actually wants, because everyone assumes others prefer it.