Scientific Definition
In any dispute, the intensity of feeling is inversely proportional to the value of the stakes.
Plain-English Definition
In any dispute, the intensity of feeling is inversely proportional to the value of the stakes.
Feynman Explanation
The smallest issues produce the biggest fights.
Core Principle
In any dispute, the intensity of feeling is inversely proportional to the value of the stakes.
Mechanisms
Pending editorial review.
In any dispute, the intensity of feeling is inversely proportional to the value of the stakes.
Pending editorial review.
Pending editorial review.
Pending editorial review.
Pending editorial review.
Low-stakes conflicts consume disproportionate energy.
Inputs (Triggers)
Pending editorial review.
Outputs (Behaviors)
Pending editorial review.
Behavioral Signature
The smallest issues produce the biggest fights.
Examples
- A committee erupts over the color of a button while ignoring strategy.
- Low-stakes conflicts consume disproportionate energy.
Pending editorial review.
Famous Experiments
Pending editorial review.
Design Principles
- Calibrate meeting time to the stakes of the issue.
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.
- Calibrate meeting time to the stakes of the issue.
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 group decides on a course of action that nobody actually wants, because everyone assumes others prefer it.
Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
We attribute our own actions to situations but others' actions to their character.
We favor people who are similar to us or who like us.
Sacrificing for others without expecting a personal reward.
Masking the sponsors of a message to make it appear grassroots.
Disagreement grows more extreme as the parties think more about the issue.
Systematic errors in explaining the causes of behavior — yours or others'.
We accept vague, general statements as personally meaningful.
Adding the word 'because' (with any reason) increases compliance dramatically.
Behaviors spread through groups via observation and imitation.
We come to like people we've done a favor for, more than people who've helped us.