Scientific Definition
We overweight one aspect of an event when predicting its impact.
Plain-English Definition
We overweight one aspect of an event when predicting its impact.
Feynman Explanation
We think the raise will change everything. It changes the commute.
Core Principle
We overweight one aspect of an event when predicting its impact.
Mechanisms
Pending editorial review.
We overweight one aspect of an event when predicting its impact.
Pending editorial review.
Pending editorial review.
Pending editorial review.
Pending editorial review.
Predictions focus on salient features and miss the daily reality.
Inputs (Triggers)
Pending editorial review.
Outputs (Behaviors)
Pending editorial review.
Behavioral Signature
We think the raise will change everything. It changes the commute.
Examples
- Employees overestimate how much salary affects job satisfaction.
- Predictions focus on salient features and miss the daily reality.
Pending editorial review.
Famous Experiments
Pending editorial review.
Design Principles
- Ask people who already experienced the outcome what mattered most.
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.
- Ask people who already experienced the outcome what mattered most.
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.
A color appears different depending on adjacent colors.
The ability to focus on one voice in a noisy environment.
Evaluations are warped by what came immediately before.
We spend less when holding large bills than small ones — same money, different behavior.
One new possession spirals into a cascade of complementary purchases.
Selling winners too early and holding losers too long.
One negative trait taints judgment of everything else about a person or company.
Evaluated separately, the smaller-but-complete option beats the larger-but-flawed one.
Goals become the focus, sometimes at the expense of the underlying purpose.
'Free' is a different psychological category — disproportionately attractive.
How will I feel about this in 10 minutes / 10 months / 10 years?
Inattention or forgetfulness caused by low attention, hyperfocus, or distraction.