Scientific Definition
Preference between two options depends on what other options sit beside them — attraction, compromise, similarity effects.
Plain-English Definition
Preference between two options depends on what other options sit beside them — attraction, compromise, similarity effects.
Feynman Explanation
Add a worse option; the middle one suddenly looks brilliant.
Core Principle
Preference between two options depends on what other options sit beside them — attraction, compromise, similarity effects.
Mechanisms
Pending editorial review.
Preference between two options depends on what other options sit beside them — attraction, compromise, similarity effects.
Pending editorial review.
Pending editorial review.
Pending editorial review.
Pending editorial review.
Pricing-tier design, menu engineering, plan comparisons.
Inputs (Triggers)
Pending editorial review.
Outputs (Behaviors)
Pending editorial review.
Behavioral Signature
Add a worse option; the middle one suddenly looks brilliant.
Examples
- The 'asymmetric dominance' (decoy) effect in product pricing tiers.
- Pricing-tier design, menu engineering, plan comparisons.
Pending editorial review.
Famous Experiments
Pending editorial review.
Design Principles
- Design the choice set deliberately. Decoys are tools — but cynical ones erode trust.
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.
- Design the choice set deliberately. Decoys are tools — but cynical ones erode trust.
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.
Environmental factors influence perception and judgment.
A change to the choice architecture that predictably shifts behavior — without removing options.
The same message in a different setting produces a different result.
What an environment offers an actor for action — handles to grip, surfaces to sit on, paths to follow.
Removing a quote from its context to distort its meaning.
Teaching the same concept to different audiences over time is naturally spaced repetition with feedback baked in.
A visual map of where in your day, mind, and environment your best thinking actually happens.
Decisions involve trade-offs between costs and benefits at different times.
How will I feel about this in 10 minutes / 10 months / 10 years?
Basics first (health/finances), then depth (mastery/impact), then altruism (widening circle).
A group decides on a course of action that nobody actually wants, because everyone assumes others prefer it.
Inattention or forgetfulness caused by low attention, hyperfocus, or distraction.