The cognitive bias of loss aversion is a primitive brain trick of self-preservation. Anything involving a loss risk sends our brain into loss aversion mode. This loss aversion mode occurs irrespective of what we stand to gain. 

This article will look at the cognitive bias of loss aversion. We will explain loss aversion and provide examples, studies, and tips to help you overcome this detrimental cognitive bias. 

What is loss aversion?

Loss aversion is a cognitive bias that guides us to view potential losses as more significant than a gain of a similar magnitude. Therefore, we minimize our risk of loss or failure by not trying in the first place. 

According to the creators of the concept of loss aversion, Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky, the pain we experience from losses is double the perceived joy we experience from gains. 

Loss aversion is inextricably linked with risk aversion. The discomfort we experience from losses, failures, and setbacks can influence our decision-making processes, leading us to take fewer risks. 

Instead of focusing on what could go right, we indulge in the idea of what could go wrong. This risk aversion influences our decision-making process, and we keep ourselves safe and small. 

What are examples of loss aversion?

Loss aversion is all around us, even from a young age. 

You only need to observe how a young child reacts to losing a toy they are playing with versus their reaction to a new toy —the upset of loss certainly overshadows the joy of gain. 

In my twenties, I was terrible at initiating contact with people I was attracted to. The idea of rejection and being laughed at superseded any notion of a happy, budding romance. 

Even now, as a running coach, I have athletes reluctant to sign up for particularly challenging races. And yet, brave athletes feel fear about a race or personal endeavor and proceed regardless. They channel their courage, lean into their vulnerability and make friends with fear. 

Studies on loss aversion?

A fascinating study on loss aversion by Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky examined the risk participants were willing to take in a gambling situation. They simulated two scenarios, each with guaranteed financial losses and gains. They found loss aversion comes into play in this scenario, and participants were more willing to take risks to avoid a loss than to take on a similar risk to achieve a gain. 

It’s not just human beings that are susceptible to loss aversion. In this study from 2008, authors used the removal or addition of food to create a loss or gain experience for capuchin monkeys. The behaviors of the monkeys were recorded and analyzed, showing consistent trends with loss aversion theory. 

By the way: Do you find it hard to be happy and in control of your life? It may not be your fault. To help you feel better, we’ve condensed the information of 100’s of articles into a 10-step mental health cheat sheet to help you be more in control.

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How does loss aversion affect your mental health?

If you are affected by loss aversion, you may experience an internal knowing that you have the potential to do and be so much more than you currently are. You likely feel stagnant. 

When loss aversion strikes, we don’t even bother putting ourselves in the line of success. Not setting ourselves up for success causes us to lead a monotone life. To avoid the lows, we obliterate our chances of highs. And this leads to a feeling of flatlining and merely existing, not living. 

Our compliance with loss aversion keeps us well and truly stuck within our comfort zone. Our comfort zone is our safe zone. There’s nothing particularly wrong with it, but there’s nothing right with it, either. Just outside our comfort zone is the growth zone. The growth zone is where the magic happens. It requires us to have confidence and to flirt with risk before we can step out of our comfort zone and into the growth zone. 

When we learn to leave our comfort zones, we start taking our life off cruise control and living with intention. Leaving our comfort zone invites vibrancy into our world. 

5 tips to overcome loss aversion

We all suffer from loss aversion to some extent, but we can learn how to overcome the automatic need for self-preservation. 

Here are our 5 tips to help you overcome loss aversion. 

1. Reframe your view of loss 

Consider a trail runner that has to climb mountains in a race. Each step is a calculated fall when a mountain runner descends treacherous peaks. She does not fear falling as she has learned to use the motion of falling to her advantage. Falling is all part of the mountain runners’ downhill running process. If she hesitated, she would tumble. But she continues with an even stride making it near impossible for the onlooker to recognize each near miss. 

We associate loss with failure, and nobody wants to fail. Yet, only those who fail can succeed. 

In our article on how to accept failure and move on, we highlight that courage is the connecting force between all our failures. The courage to step out of our comfort zone is needed to try something and put ourselves out there. 

If you can reframe your view of loss and failure, you can reduce your fear of it. And this reduction of fear of loss will reduce your aversion to it. Be a mountain runner, take the falls in your stride, and keep going.

2. Pay attention to the gains 

Pay attention to what you might gain instead of focusing on what you stand to lose. 

While enduring the mental turmoil of whether or not to break up with my ex, I visualized everything I would lose and the difficult road ahead. The decision was easy as soon as I switched my mindset and focused on what I would gain. My gain was happiness, freedom, and agency in my own life. My losses, while difficult in the moment, would not endure. 

If you have a difficult decision, try focusing on the gains before you become trapped in inertia by the losses. 

3. Filter out other people’s comments 

You can develop your self-awareness into your biases but can’t control the people around you. So even when you become comfortable with the risk of losing whatever you are exposing yourself to, other people will try to talk you down. 

When I set up a small business, I thought my nearest and dearest would be full of support for me. In reality, several people projected their fears of loss and failure onto me. 

• “But how do you know it will work?”
• “Surely you don’t have the time to do that now?”
• “Do you even know if there is a need for this?”
• “What’s the point?” 

Don’t allow other people to scaremonger you or incite fear. Their fears do not reflect your chances of success; their words reflect their insecurities and have nothing to do with you. 

4. Review the sunk cost fallacy  

It doesn’t matter how much time you have committed to something. If it isn’t working, cut ties and move on. 

The sunk cost fallacy comes into play here. The more time or money we invest into something, there more reluctant we are to quit when it’s not working. 

I’ve stayed in expired relationships for too long for fear of losing the relationship being harder than gaining my freedom. Funnily enough, no one ever regrets exiting a toxic relationship, but making that final decision is tough!

Be brave and cut your losses. Cutting your losses looks like many things; it may mean ending a romantic relationship, a friendship, a business, a project, or anything else you’ve invested time, energy, and money in.   

5. Quieten the “what if” voice 

Part of being human means making difficult decisions. It’s only natural to choose one course of action and then dwell over what might have been if we had chosen a different path. This thought process is normal but unhealthy and can increase your susceptibility to loss aversion. 

Learn to silence your “what ifs”; this means making decisions, owning them, and not ruminating on what might have been. There’s no need to analyze your speculation on other possible outcomes. Conjecture is biased and is your brain’s way of gathering unbalanced evidence to reaffirm loss affirmation; stay astute to this, and don’t allow your brain to indulge in this dialogue.  

By the way: If you want to start feeling better and more productive, I’ve condensed the information of 100’s of our articles into a 10-step mental health cheat sheet here.

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Wrapping up

We all suffer from loss aversion from time to time. The trick is not allowing it to dictate our lives and prevent us from experiencing the magic and wonder of being human. 

You can overcome your susceptibility to the loss aversion bias through the five tips outlined in this article.

• Reframe your view of loss. 
• Pay attention to the gains. 
• Filter out other people’s comments. 
• Review the sunk cost fallacy. 
• Quieten the “what if” voice. 

Do you have any tips for how to overcome the loss aversion bias? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below!

Ali Hall Author

Kindness is my superpower. Dogs and nature are my oxygen. Psychology with Sports science graduate. Scottish born and bred. I’ve worked and traveled all over the world. Find me running long distances on the hills and trails.

The post 5 Tips to Overcome Loss Aversion (and Focus on Growth Instead) appeared first on Tracking Happiness.

Are you ready to demolish the clash between our values and behavior? It takes a lot of internal work not to jump in with excuses. Often, we avoid this conflict by burying our heads in the sand. But this is not a long-term solution. If we take this approach, the stress, anxiety, and unhappiness of our cognitive dissonance will finally catch up with us. 

This article will discuss cognitive dissonance. We will explain how cognitive dissonance impacts us and provide 5 ways you can overcome it.

What is cognitive dissonance? 

Cognitive dissonance is the mental discomfort of holding 2 contrasting beliefs or attitudes. It comes to light when our actions do not align with our values.

This cognitive bias creates inconsistencies between what we say and what we do. 

Most of us suffer from cognitive dissonance at various stages in our lives. Telltale signs of suffering from cognitive dissonance include: 

• A gut feeling of discomfort before, during, or after doing something. 
• The urge to justify an action or defend an opinion. 
• Feeling ashamed. 
• Feeling confused. 
• Being accused of being a hypocrite.

To minimize these signs, we effectively put our fingers in our ears to new information that contradicts our beliefs and actions.

This reaction leads us to deal with information that doesn’t fit our agenda through: 

• Rejection. 
• Justification.
• Avoidance.

The disharmony between our contrasting beliefs and behaviors is dissonance. 

What are examples of cognitive dissonance?

Veganism is a clear-cut example of cognitive dissonance. Let’s take the example of people who express their love for animals but continue to buy into their exploitation by consuming meat and dairy. 

It isn’t nice to hear of the suffering, exploitation, and cruelty in the meat and dairy industry. When I was a vegetarian, I was proud of myself for not feeding into the demand of the meat industry. I still ate eggs and dairy. As I learned of the cruelty in the dairy industry, I found myself doing exactly as described above. 

I rejected information on the dairy industry. I justified why I still consumed dairy, and I avoided either talking about my behavior or reading articles that made me feel conflicted. I buried my head in the sand, and it did not make me feel any better. 

On the one hand, I saw myself as a kind, compassionate, animal-loving individual. On the other hand, my behavior was not representative of someone who was a kind, compassionate animal lover. 

Eventually, I owned it—no more excuses. My actions did not correspond with my ethics. 

It wasn’t until I became vegan that the sense of discomfort and shame dissipated. I overcame my cognitive dissonance by aligning my behavior with my values. 

Another example is evident in the smoking population. 

Most smokers know full well how damaging the habit is. Yet, they continue to jeopardize their health through this addictive habit. The media bombards us with anti-smoking information through TV ads, campaigns, governmental policies, and even hard-hitting images printed on cigarette packets. And still, smokers choose to smoke. 

I’ve had interesting conversations with smokers who reject the science and come out with theories about how smoking is good for them and why they need it. They ramble a justification for why they smoke, and they sometimes even avoid the conversation in the first place by shutting it down. 

Smokers have academic knowledge that smoking is bad for their health, yet they continue this behavior.

By the way: Do you find it hard to be happy and in control of your life? It may not be your fault. To help you feel better, we’ve condensed the information of 100’s of articles into a 10-step mental health cheat sheet to help you be more in control.

Don’t Miss Out On Happiness

Find happiness with this 10-step mental health cheat sheet.

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Studies on cognitive dissonance 

Leon Festinger is the psychologist who initially developed the Cognitive Dissonance Theory back in 1957. 

He had several studies to prove cognitive dissonance. One of his most well-known studies focuses on the core knowledge that lying is wrong. 

The study involved participants partaking in an arduous series of tasks. The author asked the participants to lie to the next “participant” (an experimental accomplice) and tell them the task was both interesting and enjoyable. Participants were provided with a financial incentive to lie. 

Participants were split into 2 categories and given either $1 or $20 as an incentive. 

Festinger found that the participants who were given $20 did not experience dissonance as they had decent justification for their lying behavior. Whereas those who were only given $1 had minimal justification for lying and experienced dissonance. 

How does cognitive dissonance affect your mental health?

This article outlines that people who experience cognitive dissonance are more likely to be unhappy and stressed. It also suggests that those who experience cognitive dissonance with no resolution are more likely to feel powerless and guilty. 

I understand this feeling of being powerless and feeling guilty.

In a previous job, I was instructed to demand certain things from my team. I disagreed with what I was doing, yet my hands were tied. Work became a source of stress. I felt powerless to help my colleagues, and I felt guilty regarding the unhealthy work environment that I essentially created. But I needed the job and felt there was no way out. 

Eventually, the stress got too much to bear, and I left. 

This article suggests cognitive dissonance impacts our mental health through feelings of:  

• Discomfort
• Stress. 
• Anxiety.

Cognitive dissonance and climate change

While discussing cognitive dissonance, we can not avoid the subject of climate change. Climate change is a crucial news topic worldwide; apocalyptic fears inundate us. When our behavior continues to ignore this information, we clash with our values. This clash creates discomfort, stress, and anxiety. 

There are several well-known ways of reducing our carbon footprint to help fight the climate crisis. I don’t know about you, but I regularly suffer from climate change-induced anxiety. I help control this by making a concerted effort to do my bit in reducing my carbon footprint. I have amended my behavior to tackle my cognitive dissonance. 

• Drive less and take public transport where you can. 
• Have fewer children. 
• Eat a vegan diet as much as possible. 
• Recycle. 
• Buy less, especially fast fashion. 
• Be energy aware and try and use less. 
• Fly less. 

When we start to take action, we reduce the impact of cognitive dissonance on our mental health. 

5 tips for dealing with cognitive dissonance 

Cognitive dissonance can help us feel satisfied with our choices in life. However, I would suggest this is a surface-level satisfaction. We want to live authentically from our core. 

When we resolve our cognitive dissonance, we motivate ourselves to make good choices. 

Here are 5 tips for dealing with cognitive dissonance. 

1. Be mindful 

Slow yourself down and give yourself the space to think things through. 

If left unchecked, our brains can behave like toddlers. But when we take control and use mindfulness to slow it down, we can recognize the conflict of cognitive dissonance and figure out if we need to update our values or change our behavior. 

Mindfulness is soaring in popularity these days. A few ways to engage in mindfulness include: 

• Adult coloring in books. 
• Nature walks. 
• Birdwatching or watching wildlife in its natural habitat. 
• Meditation. 
• Breathing exercises and yoga. 

A mindful mind brings clarity and helps us navigate our way through the fog. If you’re looking for more tips, here’s one of our articles on mindfulness and why it’s so important.

2. Change your behavior 

When our values and actions are not aligned, sometimes the only way to find peace is to change our behavior. 

We can try to change our values, but this is an evasion and often a fabrication. If I wanted to continue consuming dairy, I would need to amend my values for animal rights and kindness.

Changing my values was an impossible task. Therefore, it was easier to change my behavior and transition from eating a vegetarian diet to living a vegan lifestyle. 

When we feel the discomfort of our cognitive dissonance, something has to give. As we know, it is not healthy for our beliefs and actions to resemble a constant tug of war. 

We can align our behavior to fit our values. Not only does this bring about a sense of relief. But we immediately feel our authentic selves deepen.

3. Own your flaws

Owning our flaws is the first step to recognizing what drives our behavior. As we know, cognitive dissonance makes us feel compelled to reject, justify or avoid information. 

When we own our flaws, we stop making excuses. 

Imagine the smoker who sits with their behavior and doesn’t try to rectify information about how bad smoking is nor try to justify their behavior or avoid talking about it. They admit it is a bad habit and acknowledge that it is terrible for their health, not to mention the impact on their finances. 

Accepting our flaws and not jumping to deny them through rejection, justification, or avoidance makes us more likely to seek to change our behavior. 

4. Stay curious  

When we stay curious, we remain open to change. Staying curious is a constant reminder that things can change and there are alternative ways to think and behave. 

Our curiosity may encourage us to research information for ourselves. It may help us explore our options and find ways to become better informed and change our behavior. 

Wise are those who know there are different ways of thinking and behaving. There comes a time when we feel beaten down by our cognitive dissonance, and we start recognizing that there is an easier way. 

Be open to change. Read, learn, and open up your mind to alternatives. If you’re looking for more tips, here’s our article on how to be more curious in life.

5. Avoid being defensive 

This tip goes hand in hand with owning your flaws and staying curious. When we act defensively, we are impenetrable. Our minds are closed, and we lash out. We justify unhealthy behaviors, and we remain trapped. 

When we accept that we don’t always get it right, we permit ourselves to tweak behavior that no longer serves us.

For instance, if we are accused of being a hypocrite, it is easy to get defensive. But sit with this. Does the accusation hold merit? Do we walk the walk and talk the talk, or are we just full of hot air?

Instead of jumping to your defense, listen to the messages all around you. When we listen and process incoming information, we grow.

By the way: If you want to start feeling better and more productive, I’ve condensed the information of 100’s of our articles into a 10-step mental health cheat sheet here.

This Cheat Sheet Will Help You Be Happier and More Productive

Thrive under stress and crush your goals with these 10 unique tips for your mental health.

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Wrapping up

Cognitive dissonance is a protective strategy. It helps our mind avoid discomfort when our values and actions don’t match. As much as we may try and use tactics such as justifying our actions, rejecting information, or avoiding facing up to the conflict in the first place, we can not evade the stress of cognitive dissonance without creating change.

Do you often recognize cognitive dissonance in yourself or others? Do you know of any other tips to help overcome cognitive dissonance? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below!

Ali Hall Author

Kindness is my superpower. Dogs and nature are my oxygen. Psychology with Sports science graduate. Scottish born and bred. I’ve worked and traveled all over the world. Find me running long distances on the hills and trails.

The post Cognitive Dissonance: How it Affects You & 5 Ways to Overcome It appeared first on Tracking Happiness.

Self-serving bias comes into play when we attribute success to our personal efforts but attribute negative outcomes to sources outside of ourselves. It’s an innate response designed to protect our self-esteem. But if we’re not careful, self-serving bias can stand in the way of our own growth and negatively impact our relationships.

This article will help you identify when you’re deploying the self-serving bias. We will also teach you how to avoid the self-serving bias so you can optimize your personal growth and engage in healthy relationships with others.

Why do we use the self-serving bias?

Research indicates that we tend to default to the self-serving bias for multiple reasons, but the most prominent reason is to protect our self-esteem.

When we succeed, we want that success to be a direct reflection of who we are. When we don’t succeed, we don’t want to take accountability because then we believe that reflects poorly on who we are as a person.

The research does indicate that other motivations like wanting to avoid punishment or receive a reward based on an outcome can also motivate us to use self-serving bias. For example, if you’re likely to get fired based on a negative outcome, it’s only logical that you would want to blame the mishap on something besides yourself.

In both cases, self-serving bias is a protective mechanism that avoids the truth of the situation. And in the end, this will only hurt us.

Learning to see outcomes and judge them for what they – not how we want them to be – is just not something we humans are naturally inclined to do.

What are the long-term effects of the self-serving bias?

It may sound appealing to live in a world where you feel your wins are yours and your losses are because of someone else. But in the long term, you and your relationships will not be able to thrive with this self-serving mindset.

Research demonstrates that in healthy relationships, both partners take responsibility for conflict and relational success. When one party blames the other for an unfavorable event, conflict is likely to ensue.

I see this in my own relationship with my husband. When we jointly take responsibility for the house being messy, we don’t fight. But if I come home and immediately complain about the dirty dishes or unfinished laundry while blaming him, you can bet we’re going to argue.

In other words, healthy relationships seem to be dependent on your ability to avoid the self-serving bias.

Self-serving bias may also impact your happiness in the workplace.

A study in 2015 found that teachers who attributed issues in the classroom to external sources and felt a low sense of self-efficacy about their teaching abilities were more likely to experience burnout. They were also more likely to consider quitting.

If we can learn to believe in ourselves in the workplace and not see all of our problems as an issue outside of our control, we’re more likely to enjoy work.

We all intuitively know these things, yet it’s still so easy to just give in to the self-serving bias. That’s why we need a well-defined toolbox to avoid it.

By the way: Do you find it hard to be happy and in control of your life? It may not be your fault. To help you feel better, we’ve condensed the information of 100’s of articles into a 10-step mental health cheat sheet to help you be more in control.

Don’t Miss Out On Happiness

Find happiness with this 10-step mental health cheat sheet.

Download The Free Cheat Sheet

5 ways to avoid the self-serving bias

Let’s dive into 5 ways you can start taking a mindful approach to how you view life’s events to avoid falling victim to the self-serving bias.

1. Consider all contributing factors

It is rare in life that you can take full credit for an event in your life. This is important to remember both when things are going your way and when things aren’t going the way you’d hoped.

A healthy approach to reflecting on outcomes is to consider all the reasons you either succeeded or failed. This isn’t always the easiest thing to do because it’s not our gut reaction.

I remember when I got rejected by one of the graduate programs I applied to. My first reaction was that the program must have made a mistake or that my professors didn’t write good enough letters or recommendations.

This reaction clearly was to protect myself from feeling insecure about not getting into that program.

In reality, my application or qualifications were probably lacking. And perhaps one of my letters of recommendation was not compelling. There wasn’t just one factor that contributed to this outcome.

Looking at events in life from another perspective helps you to take the pressure off of yourself and others to realize that life really is more complex than a+b=c.

2. See the opportunity in mistakes

When it comes to negative outcomes, it’s only natural to want to blame things outside of yourself. This helps you deny any responsibility and avoid addressing any potential areas of weakness you may have.

But living with this mindset is a guaranteed way to deny yourself the potential to grow and improve.

Learning to take responsibility for your mistakes and view them as learning opportunities will help you avoid the self-serving bias. And it will help you stop seeing failure itself as something to be avoided or as a representation of who you are as a person.

I remember in the clinic I made an incorrect diagnosis in relation to a musculoskeletal condition. As a provider who wants to be seen as a trustworthy source, everything in me wanted to blame external factors for the incorrect diagnosis.

Because I have some practice under my belt, I am able to recognize that it’s better to own up to the mistake and look for how it can help me be a better clinician next time. Taking this approach resulted in the patient trusting me more because they saw that I was invested in their care and willing to admit when I was wrong.

Now when I encounter similar patient presentations, I am able to avoid making the same mistake and am better able to develop a meaningful relationship with this patient as a consequence.

3. Practice self-compassion

No one likes to fail. And if you do, please teach me your ways.

It doesn’t feel good to fail, which is part of why we don’t like it. But as we just discussed, failure is a necessary ingredient for self-growth.

This is why you also have to practice self-compassion. When you practice self-compassion, you’re less likely to immediately blame external influences because you understand that failing is part of being human.

Self-compassion gives you room to fail without losing sight of how wonderful and valuable you are as an individual.

I’m not going to sit here and pretend I’m great at showing myself compassion. But I am becoming better at recognizing that if we so freely give others compassion when they make a mistake, it’s only logical that we ought to treat ourselves with the same form of kindness.

4. Make an effort to give others credit

This tip is particularly important when it comes to life’s successes. It’s very tempting to want to bask in the credit of a positive outcome and see ourselves as the main contributor.

However, as mentioned in tip number one, it’s rare that you are the only reason for success.

I use this tip often in the workplace because this is where I have noticed we all tend to struggle with self-serving bias.

When patients are satisfied and thrilled about their outcome with physical therapy, my ego wants to say it was all thanks to the physical therapy that I provided. However, it doesn’t take a genius to know that overcoming physical injuries or pain is never just because of your physical therapist.

The patient has to actively participate in their exercises. And patients are far more likely to heal well when their loved ones support them through the journey.

I make it a point to highlight these factors to my patients, so that we can all see that any success is a result of a team effort.

Make an intentional effort to give credit where credit is due. Others will appreciate it and it will assure that you’re eating your daily dose of humble pie.

5. Don’t make any quick judgments

If you experience an overly positive or negative event, try not to immediately judge why it happened.

When you react to either success or failure directly in the moment, it’s easy to default to either taking pride in yourself or tearing yourself into shreds.

Remember tip number one where we think about all the reasons why we succeed or fail? It’s hard to remember those right in the moment.

Because our emotions tend to jump in the driver’s seat when we experience both good and bad things in life, it’s helpful to press pause.

Let yourself feel your feelings for a moment. Once that moment has passed, then you can calmly look at the factors contributing to the outcome.

I remember when I passed my board licensure exam, it was literally one of the happiest moments of my life. I felt like screaming from the rooftop, “I did it!”.

Now there is nothing wrong with acknowledging that you’re proud of yourself and being excited about an outcome. However, as time passed, it’s easy to see that me physically taking the test was just one small stone on the pathway to that success.

My professors, my classmates, my clinical instructors, and my social support all played an integral role in me getting to that moment. To claim that I alone was responsible for that success in hindsight sounds ludicrous to me.

But I couldn’t see that in the moment. And that’s why you need to give yourself space and time before you brag about how you’re the best or before you drown yourself in a pint of ice cream when you think you’re the worst.

By the way: If you want to start feeling better and more productive, I’ve condensed the information of 100’s of our articles into a 10-step mental health cheat sheet here.

This Cheat Sheet Will Help You Be Happier and More Productive

Thrive under stress and crush your goals with these 10 unique tips for your mental health.

Download The Free Cheat Sheet

Wrapping up

No one is exempt from experiencing self-serving bias. But with the tips from this article, you can learn to avoid it so that nothing stands in the way of your personal growth and relationships. And when you learn to let go of the self-serving bias, you are more equipped to gracefully navigate all of life’s ups and downs to end up exactly where you want to be.

Were you aware of the negative impact of the self-serving bias? When did you last experience self-serving bias in someone else or yourself? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below!

Ashley Kaiser Author

Physical therapist, writer, and outdoor enthusiast from Arizona. Self-proclaimed dark chocolate addict and full-time adrenaline junkie. Obsessed with my dog and depending on the day my husband, too.

The post 5 Tips to Avoid the Self-Serving Bias (and Why It’s Important!) appeared first on Tracking Happiness.

It’s tempting to want to believe these types of statements are individualized to you, but this is the Barnum effect taking hold of your mind. The Barnum effect can unfortunately place you at risk of being manipulated by external sources and believing statements that don’t serve you. You can learn to see through these generalizations and take control of your own destiny.

This article will help you identify the Barnum effect and learn tricks to help avoid letting vague statements inappropriately influence your mind.

What is the Barnum effect?

The Barnum effect is a fancy name for a psychological concept that says we tend to believe generalized statements that could apply to anyone are specifically designed for us.

It’s important to understand that the Barnum effect is related to ambiguous statements. Because there are times when someone is giving you information with your individual needs in mind.

More times than not, the person implementing the Barnum effect is trying to influence your behavior or receive your money in exchange for general advice that could apply to anyone.

And while sometimes the Barnum effect can be spun to inspire us, it’s important to recognize when someone is inappropriately skewing your view of your reality.

What are examples of the Barnum effect? 

At this point, you’re probably wondering where you come across the Barnum effect in the real world. You might be surprised to find that you encounter this effect more than you know.

A common example of the Barnum effect can be found in things like horoscopes. With a simple Google search, you can find a horoscope regarding your love life, your career, or anything else you can imagine.

When you read these statements from Dr. Google, they are usually broad statements that your brain twists into believing were meant to find you. You may then go about changing your behavior or perceptions based on this information if you’re not careful.

Now I’m not saying that horoscopes are bad. I’m just saying that if it can apply to anyone, you may not want to go about assuming it is specific to you and your circumstances.

Another place where we often become a victim of the Barnum effect is personality tests. Scroll Facebook for five minutes and you’re bound to find a link to a test that claims to pinpoint your personality after answering some questions.

When you read the results, you may find yourself thinking, “Wow-that sounds just like me!”. Once again, I’d caution you to look at the results critically. Because in reality, what are the odds that one survey of questions can really identify millions of individuals’ unique personality traits?

It only takes a few questions to start to realize that what you may have thought was made for you may have been made for everyone.

By the way: Do you find it hard to be happy and in control of your life? It may not be your fault. To help you feel better, we’ve condensed the information of 100’s of articles into a 10-step mental health cheat sheet to help you be more in control.

Don’t Miss Out On Happiness

Find happiness with this 10-step mental health cheat sheet.

Download The Free Cheat Sheet

Studies on the Barnum effect

When you learn of the Barnum effect, it’s easy to think that you won’t fall prey to it. Unfortunately, the research indicates otherwise.

A study in 2017 found that participants who took a personality test believed that the interpretations of their answers were highly accurate. And there was no difference between males and females indicating that we’re all subject to the Barnum effect.

Researchers have also found that we tend to be more prone to believe astrological-based interpretations related to ourselves than non-astrological interpretations. This was the case even when the interpretations were practically the same

And in addition to trusting astrological interpretations, the same study found that we’re more likely to consider positive interpretations of ourselves as accurate when compared with negative interpretations.

It’s as though we only believe what we like to hear. I also find it fascinating that we have some strange sense of trust in astrology compared to non-astrological sources when it comes to our personalities and futures.

How does the Barnum effect impact your mental health

So how does this concept of believing vague generalizations about yourself impact your mental health?

Research indicates that if you believe generalizations about your personality based on a simple test, it has the potential to both serve and harm you depending on your interpretation.

If your personality test says you are a genius, the Barnum effect could take hold and you may develop self-confidence that propels you forward in life. 

On the other hand, if your results indicate you are terrible with relationships, this might cause you to self-sabotage every romantic relationship you have.

I can recall a specific time in my life when the Barnum effect directly impacted my mental well-being. I was in college and had a good friend who was big into astrology and horoscopes.

She told me one week that the moon was in retrograde and for my horoscope sign this meant I was out of alignment. She essentially forecasted that it would be a stressful week full of mishaps.

I, being the gullible college student I was, thought she was probably onto something. I had a big test coming up and interpreted her findings to mean that I was going to bomb it. I literally stressed about it the whole week knowing that her interpretation was probably going to come true.

Well, guess what happened on test day? I got a flat tire on the way to the test and was flustered, so I ended up not doing well on the test.

Looking back, I can see that I created so much unnecessary mental stress in my life that week because I thought what she was telling me was specific to me. It seems ludicrous, but these vague interpretations can impact your sense of self-confidence and mindset if you let them.

5 ways to overcome the Barnum effect

If you’re ready to look at those Facebook quiz results and horoscopes through the lens of a skeptic, then these tips were created just for you.   

1. Ask yourself this one question

Whenever I encounter information regarding my personality or depicting my future, I ask myself this one question. The question is this, “Could this apply to anyone?”

If the answer is yes, odds are the data is so broad and vague that you shouldn’t believe it to be true.

Just the other day, I was watching an Instagram reel where the girl said something like, “I know you’re struggling with money and feel like you’re burnt out.” For a moment I thought to myself, “Wow-this person is talking about me.”

As the video kept rolling, I realized that this person was trying to reach a large audience and this data could apply to just about anyone. None of the information was specific to me or my circumstances.

They were just making blanket statements to draw in a large crowd for their product. Had I believed this person was directing a specific message for me, it would have been easy to then purchase their program and feel I needed their services.

It was definitely smart marketing, but using my one question saved me and my wallet from falling into the trap.

2. What is not being said?

Sometimes in order to beat the Barnum effect, you have to identify what is not being said. In other words, ask yourself, “Does the message or interpretation lack specificity?”.

I took a personality quiz a few years back that came back with results saying I was a “do-er”. The interpretation told me that a “do-er” is someone who takes initiative, but also someone who likes to have control.

As I read the description, I felt it was relatable but quickly realized that all the statements were descriptions of personality traits that many people shared. There was nothing specific listed.

Many people struggle with control. Many people take initiative.

It never said anything about my specific interests. That’s when it hit me that it was a ploy to get me to interact with more advertisements on the website’s page.

If there’s nothing specific in the interpretation or results, that’s because it’s not specifically designed with you in mind.

3. What is the source?

Anytime someone tells you something about yourself, you need to look at the source.

Is the source a retweeted personality quiz or is the source a guidance counselor with years of experience? If you make a life decision based on an online personality quiz, you may want to rethink your decision.

The source of the information makes all the difference because if it’s not a trustworthy source you can immediately disregard it.

If a random online ad said, “You’re going to be a billionaire tomorrow!” you would probably laugh and move on. But if your financial advisor tells you the same thing, you would probably have a completely different reaction.

4. Make sure all the information isn’t “happy go lucky”

Another test to make sure you’re not just reading some bogus interpretation is to make sure the source has a fair amount of both positive and negative feedback.

If you’re reading a series of horoscopes and each one indicates that you’ll fall in love and have a happily ever after, you might want to raise an eyebrow.

Not to be a Debbie downer, but not everything in life is going to be positive. If something is giving you useful feedback about your life and future, there needs to be a yin and yang type of balance. It’s why happiness can’t exist without the occasional episode of sadness.

I remember going to a palm reader years ago who told me many claims, all of which were positive. And while every inch of me really wanted to believe her, it was evident that she wasn’t a legitimate source.

Check for a balance of both good and bad information when it comes to your sources to make sure they aren’t just fluff.

5. Test out the claim with multiple people

Another surefire way to assess if a source is taking advantage of the Barnum effect is to test the claim with multiple people.

Remember my college friend who was into astrology and horoscopes? When we would hang out in groups, she would insist on sharing people’s horoscopes with them.

It only took a few instances of having multiple Sagittarius or any other sign to realize that not everyone agreed with their descriptions.

There was one of the girls who was a Sagittarius, which apparently is supposed to mean you’re outgoing and adventure-seeking. This girl was literally the opposite. She hated adventures, surprises, and any large social gatherings.

In the same way, you need to ask if this can apply to anyone, you may need to see if there are folks who directly oppose their own results. Because if it applies to everyone or if there are folks who it just doesn’t work for, you can rest assured that the Barnum effect is to blame.

By the way: If you want to start feeling better and more productive, I’ve condensed the information of 100’s of our articles into a 10-step mental health cheat sheet here.

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Wrapping up

It’s tempting to want an external source to help you understand yourself or predict your future. But that external force will probably use the Barnum effect to its advantage. And while there’s nothing wrong with horoscopes and personality quizzes, it’s important to use the tips from this article to avoid letting them influence your life in a major way. Because you, and only you, can determine who you are and what your future holds.

Can you remember when you were last impacted by the Barnum effect? How did it go? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below!

Ashley Kaiser Author

Physical therapist, writer, and outdoor enthusiast from Arizona. Self-proclaimed dark chocolate addict and full-time adrenaline junkie. Obsessed with my dog and depending on the day my husband, too.

The post The Barnum Effect: What is It and 5 Ways to Overcome It? appeared first on Tracking Happiness.

This gut reaction of assuming that the person is a jerk based upon their behavior is a prime example of the fundamental attribution error. When we assume that a person’s actions are a direct reflection of their personality, we become victims of the fundamental attribution error. We can learn to avoid this innate bias to help us stop quick judgments in their tracks and improve our relationships.

If you’re ready to stop making unfair assumptions about your fellow man, then we’ve got you covered. This article will teach you steps you can take today to avoid the fundamental attribution error.

What is the fundamental attribution error?

The fundamental attribution error is a bias where we assume that a person’s actions reflect their personality instead of potential situational or environmental factors.

In other words, we assume that people’s behavior occurs because that’s who they are as a person instead of based on their circumstances. It’s the cognitive bias behind the old saying, “Don’t judge a book by its cover”.

It’s easier for us to assume that someone’s actions stem from their personality than it is for us to try to look deeper. This stems back to the fact that our brain is constantly seeking shortcuts to save us mental energy.

But if we’re not careful, we can make assumptions that hurt both parties and cause us to miss out on deeper relationships.

By the way: Do you find it hard to be happy and in control of your life? It may not be your fault. To help you feel better, we’ve condensed the information of 100’s of articles into a 10-step mental health cheat sheet to help you be more in control.

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What are examples of the fundamental attribution error?

One of my favorite examples of the fundamental attribution error happens to me almost daily on the way to work. I begin my drive hopeful as I sip my coffee and await for the anticipated caffeine buzz to commence.

Within moments, someone cuts me off. I immediately assume that this person is a terrible human with no concern for his fellow humans.

In reality, this person may be driving their pregnant wife to the emergency room. Or they may have genuinely not seen me and feel terrible about their mistake.

Another common place I run into the fundamental attribution error is in the workplace. There are inevitably moments when a patient is rude when I ask them to try a new exercise during a treatment session.

My monkey mind has a tendency to assume that this person is mean and has no desire to get better. Thankfully, I don’t act on this first response.

In reality, this person may just be in so much pain that they are afraid of the new exercise. Or maybe they’ve had a bad experience with a similar exercise during a prior bout of physical therapy.

These examples highlight how the fundamental attribution error limits your view of a person. We make assumptions before knowing the whole story.

And this is why it’s key to avoid the fundamental attribution error if we want to develop healthy relationships and reduce our stress.

By the way: Do you find it hard to be happy and in control of your life? It may not be your fault. To help you feel better, we’ve condensed the information of 100’s of articles into a 10-step mental health cheat sheet to help you be more in control.

Don’t Miss Out On Happiness

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Studies on the fundamental attribution error

Many studies have been performed to demonstrate the existence of the fundamental attribution error. One particularly interesting study examined how we view actors in the real world after they play a villain in a film.

Participants were asked to watch the film with the actor portraying a villain. Afterward, they saw that same actor give a public service announcement. Participants were less likely to give the actor a positive rating and felt less connected to them after seeing them portray the villain.

This explains to me why I have a hard time liking Anthony Hopkins no matter how hard I try.

Another study demonstrated the presence of the fundamental attribution error in the field of medicine. The research found that physicians were more likely to diagnose cognitive deficits as severe when the patient was resistant as opposed to a patient who was receptive to their diagnosis.

As a clinician myself, I found this particularly fascinating. It made me stop and wonder if I am making unfair assumptions about a person’s condition based on their disposition.

All this is to say that it’s clear that no one is immune from experiencing the fundamental attribution error.

How does the fundamental attribution error affect your mental health

A large part of having well-rounded mental health is having healthy relationships. And as it turns out, the fundamental attribution error plays a role in our relational satisfaction and how we engage in conflict.

A study in 2018 found that married couples reported higher levels of marital satisfaction and positive conflict resolution styles when they held a positive view of their spouse. When individuals held a negative view of their spouse, this negatively influenced how they engaged in conflict and their marital satisfaction.

I can relate to this on a personal level with my husband. I am generally more forgiving of his mistakes because I believe him to be a genuinely kind human being.

I also personally think that the fundamental attribution error influences my stress levels more often than I would like. I think about all the times I get upset during the day when someone acts unkind.

Just today someone told me they thought physical therapy was a waste of time. My stress level immediately spiked and I wanted to tell them how inconsiderate they were being.

When in reality, I’m letting the fundamental attribution error dictate my mood and emotions. For all I know, this person could just be having a bad day or could be fed up with the cost of physical therapy.

More times than not, statements like that have nothing to do with them or with me personally. Yet I assume they do and this unnecessarily increases my stress levels.

It all comes down to consistently working to avoid the fundamental attribution error to protect your mental and relational well-being.  

5 ways to avoid the fundamental attribution error

If you’re ready to grow as a human and stop making assumptions about your fellow man, then these tips were made for you.

It’s not easy to avoid the fundamental attribution error, but with effort, you can do it.

1. Look for other explanations

When you start to make an assumption about someone based on their behavior, ask yourself to come up with other plausible explanations.

Remember my getting cut off in traffic example from earlier? I have trained myself to think of at least 3 reasons why that person may have cut me off.

Sometimes I assume that the person has neck pain that’s limiting their mobility that allows them to see behind them. Or I imagine this husband who is rushing to the hospital because his wife is about to deliver their first child.

Thinking like this creates a totally different perception of the person driving the car. And it makes my drive to work much less stressful.

Come up with other explanations for a person’s behavior and you will realize that there are many possible reasonable explanations.

2. Remember you’re human, too

I hate to admit it, but I have had bad days when I am not the kindest human. And whether you want to admit it or not, you aren’t perfect either.

If we all had a bit more grace with each other when it came to our behavior, we could stop the fundamental attribution error in its tracks.

Sometimes when we’re having a particularly yucky day or find ourselves in a rut, our actions don’t reflect who we are at our core.

I try to assume, within reason, that everyone is inherently good. This allows me to give people grace when they act in a way that I disagree with without assuming something about their nature.

Forgive people often and assume the best intentions of your fellow mankind.

3. Step away

It’s easy to give into your initial reaction to a situation and incorrectly judge someone. This is why sometimes it’s better for you to step away instead of going with your gut reaction.

I was helping with an interview a few years back. The interviewee showed up late and cursed a few minutes into the interview.

Now based on these actions, I assumed this candidate was sloppy and not a good fit. I also found myself not listening as well. Thankfully, we took a break mid-interview and I was able to get my attention back on course.

She then started talking about her experience and ideas for the company. She had past experience and creative ideas that were clearly going to be an asset to our team.

Had I gone with my gut reaction, I would have missed out on working with one of my favorite co-workers who really enhanced our team.

Check your gut reaction and take a break instead before judging a person based on potential situational factors.

4. Remember someone’s positive past behavior

Depending on the situation, this tip can be a hard one to put into practice.

When I am awfully mad with a friend or loved one, it’s easy for me to start spewing not-so-kind words about their character.

However, if I stop to think about moments when this person demonstrated positive behavior in the past these thoughts start to fade.

The other day I was upset with one of my cousins because they decided to ditch their responsibilities last minute for a big family event. I started to think how irresponsible they were and how they didn’t care for the family.

But then I remembered the time they drove all night to come take care of our grandparents when they were sick. And I thought about the time they paid for their mother’s rent.

And I realized I was falling victim to the fundamental attribution error yet again.

Try to remember the person’s behavior on the whole spectrum to help you remember that situational influences are usually to blame, not the person’s character.

5. Open the door for communication

If you’re making assumptions about someone before you know the whole story, perhaps it’s time you ask to hear the whole story. I say that like it’s easy, but I fully acknowledge that this can be tricky at times.

When you open the door for communication, you give the person a chance to explain the circumstances guiding their behavior.

When I finally called up my cousin regarding the situation I just mentioned, he explained to me that he had to cover for a coworker who was just diagnosed with cancer. Immediately I felt like the one who was the jerk.

A little communication goes a long way when it comes to overcoming the fundamental attribution error.

By the way: If you want to start feeling better and more productive, I’ve condensed the information of 100’s of our articles into a 10-step mental health cheat sheet here.

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Wrapping up

At the end of the day, human behavior in and of itself rarely tells the whole story. Using the tips from this article, you can avoid the fundamental attribution error to stop making false assumptions about your fellow man. And as you practice putting these tips into action, you may realize that mankind is full of a lot of kind-hearted folks.

When was the last time you portrayed a typical case of fundamental attribution error? And what’s your favorite tip in this article? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below!

Ashley Kaiser Author

Physical therapist, writer, and outdoor enthusiast from Arizona. Self-proclaimed dark chocolate addict and full-time adrenaline junkie. Obsessed with my dog and depending on the day my husband, too.

The post How to Avoid (and Spot) Fundamental Attribution Error appeared first on Tracking Happiness.

It doesn’t take a genius to figure out which salesman sells you the car. This is due to a concept called the framing effect that influences our decisions on a daily basis. Without learning to recognize this bias in your life, you may find yourself manipulated into making decisions you wouldn’t otherwise.

This article will help you put on your scientist goggles to overcome the tricky framing effect. With a few tips, you can learn to ditch the façade and make the choice that’s best for you.

What is the framing effect?

The framing effect is a cognitive bias in which your decisions are affected by how your choices are presented to you.

If the positive aspects of a choice are highlighted, you will be more likely to choose that option. Whereas if the negative parts of that same choice are emphasized, you’ll be less likely to choose that option.

In other words, we are highly susceptible to our decisions being manipulated based on how information is presented to us. It’s logical that we’re drawn to options that are painted out to be more attractive or help us avoid risk.

This is exactly why it’s important to understand this bias to make sure that your decisions aren’t being made for you. Because sometimes the option that is painted out to be more attractive is deceiving you.

By the way: Do you find it hard to be happy and in control of your life? It may not be your fault. To help you feel better, we’ve condensed the information of 100’s of articles into a 10-step mental health cheat sheet to help you be more in control.

Don’t Miss Out On Happiness

Find happiness with this 10-step mental health cheat sheet.

Download The Free Cheat Sheet

What are examples of the framing effect?

We all fall prey to the framing effect. This is in part because we’re presented with hundreds of choices each day. And our brains want to make decisions efficiently without having to use up too much brain power.

A classic example of the framing effect can be seen in food labeling. Many foods will say things like “fat-free” to make you think you are making a healthier choice. However, if the same food label advertised how much sugar they used to make the flavor better to eliminate the fat you would find it less healthy.

Good marketers are masters of using the framing effect to their advantage. But good consumers can see through this with a little practice.

The framing effect isn’t limited just to marketing though. I see the framing effect in healthcare all the time. 

A surgeon will tell a patient that a particular form of surgery is going to eliminate their pain and improve their function. What the surgeon may not tell the patient is that certain forms of surgery are extremely painful and the outcomes may be no better than conservative care or time alone.

Now I’m not saying surgery is a bad choice. But when presented with all the options and potential outcomes, the patient may make a different choice than if they are only told how wonderful surgery will be.

Studies on the framing effect

A particularly interesting study on the framing effect was done on a population of patients with cancer. The researchers offered the patients an option that was more toxic, but more effective. They also offered a less toxic option that was less effective for treating cancer.

For each choice, they either highlighted the survival odds or the odds of dying. They found that when the toxic but effective option was presented with only a 50% likelihood of dying individuals were less likely to choose it. However, when the same option was presented with a 50% likelihood of surviving patients were more prone to choose it.

Another study in 2020 looked at the framing effect in relation to purchasing organic food. They found that individuals were more likely to purchase organic food when they highlighted the negative impact of nonorganic food on the individual and the environment.

These studies demonstrate that we are highly motivated to both choose the more attractive choice and to avoid any risk to our well-being.

How does the framing effect impact your mental health

You may be thinking that the framing effect is unrelated to mental health, but trust me when I say this is not the case. I personally experienced the framing effect in relation to my own mental health a few years ago.

I was struggling with relatively severe depression. Whenever I was presented with a choice, I tended to be more influenced by the option that presented the potential downfalls instead of seeing the potential gains. This only led to my depression worsening.

I remember specifically when my good friend told me I needed a therapist. At the time, I highlighted the cost and the embarrassment as risks to making that choice. If I had been more open and thought about the potential upsides, maybe I would have made the choice quicker and found relief sooner.

Research has also shown that experiencing anxiety can make you more risk averse when it comes to making choices. Your anxiety may lead you to consistently choose options that are presented as safe choices, which may or may not be the best choice.

And in some ways, choosing the safer option only reinforces your anxiety as it positively rewards you for staying in your comfort zone.

All this to say, it’s in your best interest to learn to critically assess your choices. Doing so will help your mental well-being flourish and promote your personal growth.

5 ways to overcome the framing effect

If you’re ready to read between the lines of all your choices, then it’s time to dive into these tips. With a little work, you can outwit the framing effect starting today.  

1.  Change your perspective

If a choice sounds too good to be true or if someone is painting it out to be a disaster, it’s time to look at things from a different angle.

Changing your perspective on the choice may help you better understand if it’s a good option for you.

This was critical when it came to picking out a grad school. I was fortunate to have multiple options, so I essentially wanted each school to give me a worthwhile pitch.

I remember one school in particular that over-emphasized how wonderful their physical therapy program was. At first, it seemed like a no-brainer that I should go with that school.

After taking a step away from the fancy school rep who gave me all the snazzy free merchandise, I started to look at it from a different perspective. I considered where the school was located, and the cost of living, and looked at the percentage of students who completed the program. 

It became clear quickly that despite the great program design, the school was not going to be the right fit for me.

It’s essential to try to look at your options from multiple angles to ensure you see the truth of the situation.

2. Investigate your options

This may sound like common sense, but you’d be surprised how appealing it can be to make a hasty decision.

When you encounter the framing effect, the person or entity offering you the decision doesn’t necessarily want you to investigate. They are trying to present you with an offer that results in you making the decision they want.

This is why I would first recommend that you take a moment or maybe even two moments before making a choice. Look at all your choices critically.

Remember this holds true for people who are painting things out to be overly negative as well. The person who wants you to avoid their competitor will be sure to tell you how awful their competitor is.

Even when it seems like you know what you want, practice thoroughly investigating your choices. Because from my experience, a hasty decision is rarely a good one.

3. Ask questions

Any time you are given a choice and you aren’t sure about it, you need to ask questions. This is not the time to be shy.

I mentioned before that salesmen and market experts are tuned in to how to use the framing effect to their advantage. This is why you need to ask tough questions to avoid letting them take advantage of you.

This almost happened to me a few years ago when I was purchasing a used car. The salesman showed me two cars. One was significantly more expensive than the other.

The salesman made sure to pitch the more expensive car as more reliable, fuel-efficient, and a long-lasting brand. He did point out some of the positive qualities of the cheaper car but was sure to mention every flaw he could find with it.

Keep in mind he presented all this information with much more class and pizazz than I just did. So I have to give him credit in the sense that he did an excellent job presenting the choices.

He almost had me buy the expensive car until I stopped to ask him to show me the history of the vehicle. Come to find out the more expensive car had been in an accident.

Needless to say, all it took was a few questions to realize that he was trying to frame me into making a poor choice.

4. Get others’ opinions

If you are making a particularly important life decision, I find it best to seek out the opinions of trusted loved ones. Now notice I didn’t say the opinion of that funky uncle that you don’t like.

Asking for others’ opinions assures that you’re not so far in and sold on a choice that you’re missing something important. These multiple opinions act as a sort of safeguard against someone trying to pull a fast one on you.

Now I wouldn’t go out and get a million opinions because then you might get caught in analysis paralysis. But a few fresh insights can help you make sure you’re seeing a decision clearly.

I have to say I really owe my parents for helping me avoid being a consistent victim of the framing effect. Without their sound advice, I’d probably have 80 credit cards and a long track record of bad decisions.

5. Don’t let your emotions lead the way

I’m not saying emotions are a bad thing. But when it comes to making decisions, you don’t want your emotions behind the driver’s wheel.

If you’re like me, after a bad day at work the 80% fat-free rocky road ice cream starts to sound like it’s good for your health. Or if I’m overly excited I might be more inclined to believe the salesgirl who tells me that her product is going to fix all my problems.

Emotions can act as clouds to your logical brain when you’re presented with a decision. And I’m human. I know all decisions can’t be made from a calm state.

But whenever possible, try to not let your emotions lead the way because they will only serve to magnify the framing effect.

By the way: If you want to start feeling better and more productive, I’ve condensed the information of 100’s of our articles into a 10-step mental health cheat sheet here.

This Cheat Sheet Will Help You Be Happier and More Productive

Thrive under stress and crush your goals with these 10 unique tips for your mental health.

Download The Free Cheat Sheet

Wrapping up

Life is full of decisions and the framing effect will try to make some of them for you. Using the tips from this article, you can look outside of the frame to make the choice best for you. Because at the end of the day, the decisions you make are what create your reality as you know it.

Have you ever been affected by the framing effect? When was the last time you managed to avoid it? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below!

Ashley Kaiser Author

Physical therapist, writer, and outdoor enthusiast from Arizona. Self-proclaimed dark chocolate addict and full-time adrenaline junkie. Obsessed with my dog and depending on the day my husband, too.

The post What is the Framing Effect (and 5 Ways to Avoid it!) appeared first on Tracking Happiness.

This psychological phenomenon of reactance is a natural response to concern about losing control and freedom. However, living in a state of reactance will lead you to a life of anger and resistance to ways of thinking that could be in your best interest.

This article will teach you how to overcome reactance to free yourself to make decisions that create the life you desire.

What is reactance

Reactance is the idea that as humans we tend to pick the opposite choice or behavior that someone is trying to get us to pick. We do this because we feel that a person or group is trying to limit our choices or control us in some way.

To put it super simply, reactance is a bias that indicates we generally don’t like to be told what to do.

And it seems that the more the person tries to convince us that their way is the best way, the more we resist.

Not that I have ever behaved in this way. Although my parents may rat me out on this one.

What are examples of reactance?

Some of my favorite examples of reactance stem from my teenage days. If there is one group of people who have reactance mastered, it’s definitely angsty teens.

I remember being told by my parents not to date until I was 16. They gave me a long list of reasons why I was not mature enough to handle the dating scene at that age.

I could generally understand some of their points and they seemed reasonable. But because they were telling me not to do it, I felt more encouraged to do it. I didn’t like that they were the ones determining my maturity level or freedom.

So of course I started dating when I was 15 years old. And you can imagine how that story ended.

Unfortunately, reactance is not just limited to teenagers though. All you have to do is look at today’s political scene to have a front-row seat to the reactance show.

Just try to make a suggestion regarding how to vote for a person in either political party. You can make a sound logical argument and point out loads of evidence supporting your opinion.

However, the harder you try to convince a person, the more inclined they are to not listen to you and do the opposite. This seems particularly true if you’re of the opposite political party.

The reality is reactance is indeed a reaction we all innately have as a part of our psychological make-up.

But that doesn’t mean we have to be driven by it.

By the way: Do you find it hard to be happy and in control of your life? It may not be your fault. To help you feel better, we’ve condensed the information of 100’s of articles into a 10-step mental health cheat sheet to help you be more in control.

Don’t Miss Out On Happiness

Find happiness with this 10-step mental health cheat sheet.

Download The Free Cheat Sheet

Studies on reactance

In 1966, Brehm first coined the term reactance theory to describe this psychological phenomenon. Since then, there have been many studies demonstrating the validity of his theory.

So while no one will argue that reactance exists in humans, it does seem to vary how much it affects each one of us.

A study in 2009 found that levels of reactance vary across cultures. Individualistic countries tend to experience greater levels of reactance than collectivist countries.

It appears the more your country values freedom of choice the more potential you have to react to that freedom not being in your own hands.

Research has also found that the stronger the delivery of the message, the more likely you are to experience reactance. When testing out a “stop texting and driving” campaign, the researchers discovered students experienced greater reactance to campaigns with a stronger persuasive message.

I find it so fascinating that we simply don’t like being told what to do. We value freedom so much that we’re willing to make a choice that conflicts with our own desires to avoid being told what to do.

How does reactance affect your mental health?

If you allow reactance to control your decisions in life, you may be headed down a less than happy path.

Research has found that high levels of reactance correspond with increased anger and negative thoughts.

It makes sense when you think about it. Let’s recall the start of the article when I asked you to think about the last time someone told you what to do. How did that make you feel?

It tends to make you feel angry and frustrated with the person telling you what to do. And nothing good ever stems from anger and negative thinking.

This happens to me at work from time to time. My boss will essentially tell me what to do about a certain patient case scenario without ever asking for my input.

My general reaction to this is one of anger and annoyance. And then I want to not do what he told me to do because it makes me assume he doesn’t trust my clinical decision-making.

Now, that’s not a mature reaction, I’ll admit it. But if I’m being honest, it does happen.

That’s why it’s important to know the active steps you can take before letting this cognitive bias direct your life and mood.

5 ways to overcome reactance

If you’re ready to learn how to combat reactance so you can be in the driver’s seat of your life choices, then buckle up. These 5 tips will teach you how to do just that!

1. Think before you act

Let’s look back at my work dilemma from before. When my boss tries to tell me what to do with a patient, it’s true that my first response is to not do what he says.

And if I always reacted to that first response, I can guarantee you I would not be acting in the patient’s best interest.

I have taught myself to first identify that I am experiencing resistance to what is being told to me. When I feel resistance, my next step is to ask myself what are all the possible options in this situation.

I try to put on my scientist goggles and consider every option from an evidence-based view. This includes looking at my boss’ suggestions.

After I’ve gone through this process, I can then make a decision because I know I am acting from a space of logic that has the patient’s best interest in mind.

More often than not, your first reaction of opposition to a suggestion needs to be re-examined. Place your reaction under a microscope before putting it into action.

2. Listen attentively

When someone tries to strongly persuade me to act a certain way, I have this tendency to want to stop listening. And this is my downfall.

When you stop listening to what the person is saying, you may be making assumptions about their motivations. And these assumptions are often incorrect because you don’t listen to their whole point of view.

And beyond that, you may find that with active listening to their perspective you learn something that changes your mind.

So when you find yourself in a state of reactance, challenge yourself to keep listening instead of spacing out. If nothing else, it helps you practice the skill of listening to things you disagree with.

3. Find ways to keep your cool

As mentioned earlier, reactance is often associated with the emotion of anger. When we have this desire to rebel against what we’re being told, we usually act from a place of being upset.

I remember being a part of a group in PT school where we were designing a business together. There was one person in the group who wanted to control every decision and action of the members.

I found myself getting irritated by constantly being told what I was going to do instead of having a say in the project. However, the person who was doing all the directing was a good friend of mine who I liked.

This was when I learned how to keep my cool in these situations. I didn’t want to forsake our friendship just because I wanted to get mad about a group project.

In that case, I taught myself to count to 10 before giving a reply about an assignment in the group. By the count of ten, I usually could calmly communicate my thoughts. Or by that time, I realized that opposing her train of thought really wasn’t worth all the drama.

Find a way to cool yourself down when you find yourself experiencing reactance. It’s rare that your best decisions are made from a state of anger.

4. Get curious

This one took me a while to implement. And to be transparent, this tip is still very much a work in progress for me.

But one of the best things you can do to combat reactance is to get curious. I want you to get curious about why you feel such strong resistance to a suggestion or persuasive argument.

When you get curious, you open up yourself to understand what’s really underlying your reaction.

Maybe it’s not that you disagree with the person, but you feel as though you’ve never had control in your life. Or maybe it’s that you have a problem with wanting to control everything and everyone.

This is where things get vulnerable. But getting curious about your own reactance can help you heal deep wounds. And this allows you to then make informed decisions from a place of peace instead.

This is also where I would suggest seeking external help in the form of a coach or therapist. Because if you are experiencing reactance in all areas of your life, it may be time to do some deep work.

5. Have an open conversation

This tip may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I guarantee you’ll save yourself some trouble if you use it.

When you find yourself wanting to do the opposite of what someone tells you, it’s time to communicate your needs. By telling the person how you’re feeling, it helps them understand your reaction. And it helps both of you better navigate similar interactions in the future.

I remember I used to do this thing where I would tell my husband to take the trash out now. I never understood why he would get so upset about me asking him to do a chore that takes a few minutes.

One day he finally told me he needed to chat about it. He told me that when I told him to take the trash out now it made him want to do it less. He felt like I was taking away his ability to decide when would work best for him to take the trash out.

This simple conversation helped me communicate more effectively because I realized it wasn’t that he didn’t want to help. He wanted the freedom to do it when it worked best in his schedule that day.

Communicate with the person telling you what to do or think. You may just find they are a lot more understanding of your perspective than you realize.

By the way: If you want to start feeling better and more productive, I’ve condensed the information of 100’s of our articles into a 10-step mental health cheat sheet here.

This Cheat Sheet Will Help You Be Happier and More Productive

Thrive under stress and crush your goals with these 10 unique tips for your mental health.

Download The Free Cheat Sheet

Wrapping up

People will always want to tell you what to do. It’s human nature. Using the tips from this article, you can overcome your gut instinct to rebel and give in to the reactance bias. Because while you can’t control what people tell you to do, you can control your response. And that is where happiness can be found.

When did you last experience a feeling of reactance, where you wanted to shoot down someone else’s suggestion purely because you needed to resist outside control? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below!

Ashley Kaiser Author

Physical therapist, writer, and outdoor enthusiast from Arizona. Self-proclaimed dark chocolate addict and full-time adrenaline junkie. Obsessed with my dog and depending on the day my husband, too.

The post How Reactance Affects Your Decisions and 5 Ways to Overcome It appeared first on Tracking Happiness.

Some people live their lives as though they are this lead actor who never leaves the stage. The spotlight effect causes them to think that the public is watching their every move. Understandably, this can lead to social anxiety and living with an immense sense of pressure to be perfect.

This article is here to teach you how to turn off the spotlight and exit the stage. With the tips from this article, you can free yourself to enjoy the crowd instead of feeling constantly judged by them.

What is the spotlight effect?

The spotlight effect is a cognitive bias that describes a belief that the world is always watching you. We tend to think that people are paying far greater attention to us than they actually are.

You feel like every move you make is under the microscope of the public eye.

This means in your mind the public highlights both your successes and your failures.

In reality, most of us are so wrapped up in our own world and problems that we’re too busy to notice anyone else’s. And what’s funny about it is we’re all so worried about what others think of us that we don’t even have time to be judging others.

What are examples of the spotlight effect?

The spotlight effect occurs in most of our lives on a daily basis. Just think about your day and I bet you can come up with a moment where you think people noticed you more than they did.

A classic example is the freakout moment you have when you realize your zipper is down. I almost guarantee that no one around you noticed.

Yet, in your mind, you’re insanely embarrassed because you’re sure everyone you passed saw you and thought you were such a slob.

I remember when I was growing up playing the piano in church. I would play a wrong note or use an incorrect tempo. This would result in me immediately feeling disappointed in myself.

I was certain the entire crowd noticed my mistake and that it ruined the song for them. In reality, most people didn’t even pick up on the mistake. And if they did, they certainly didn’t care as much as I did about it.

When you write down examples of the spotlight effect, you start to realize how absurd it is that we think this way.

Studies on the spotlight effect

A research study in 2000 highlighted the spotlight effect when it comes to our appearance. In this study, they asked people to wear one shirt that was flattering and one that was not so flattering.

The participants anticipated that 50% of people would notice the unflattering shirt. In reality, only 25% of people noticed the unflattering shirt.

The same held true regarding the flattering outfit. Needless to say, people don’t pay attention to us as much as we think they do.

Researchers tested the same theory when it came to athletic performance or performance on a video game. Guess what the results concluded?

You guessed it. People didn’t notice the participant’s failures or successes as much as the participant thought they would.

The data seems to suggest we really do live in our own little bubbles of self-perception after all.

How does the spotlight effect influence your mental health

Living under the spotlight just doesn’t sound appealing. No one likes the idea of living a highly scrutinized life where there is pressure to perform.

Research in 2021 found that college students who experienced the spotlight effect were more likely to suffer from anxiety. This was particularly true when students thought that other students were perceiving them in a negative manner.

These findings are highly relatable for me personally. I used to feel like every mistake I made during a presentation in PT school was easily noticed by my fellow students or professors.

This resulted in me experiencing high levels of anxiety before any type of class presentation. And instead of it being a learning experience, I just felt immense dread during any presentation.

I wish I could go back to my PT self and tell her that no one was paying as much attention as I thought. And better yet, I was the only one putting the pressure on myself.

5 ways to overcome the spotlight effect

If you’re ready to see what life is like offstage, then these 5 tips are here to guide you through a smooth exit off center stage.

1. Realize you’re not the star of the show

That may sound harsh. But it is the truth of the matter.  

By assuming that the entire world is hyper-focused on you, you’re ignoring the fact that you are not the only human on planet earth.

I’ve come to realize that it’s selfish to assume everyone is paying gobs of attention to me. And this has freed me to divert my focus unselfishly on others.

Accept that in this big world, the thing you are self-conscious about in the public eye is just a grain of sand. And no one stops to notice each grain of sand.

So let go of the pressure to perform for others in your daily life. Realizing your own humble insignificance allows you to exist freely outside of the microscope of the public eye.  

2. Become aware of other’s true reactions

Sometimes when you’re conscious of others’ reactions to you, you’re not perceiving their true reaction.

Your thoughts about what you think they are thinking about you are influencing your reaction. Read that again. It’s sort of a tricky concept to really wrap your mind around.

Instead of predicting what they’re thinking, stop and listen. Listen to their words and their body language.

Because when you stop and pay attention to how they are responding, you may realize they are not at all concerned about what you’re self-conscious of.

This simple awareness can help you understand that people are not as aware of you as you think they are.

3. Use the “so what” method

This tip may be one of my favorites. Mostly because it’s just fun to say “so what”.

When you find yourself overly concerned with others’ perceptions, ask yourself “so what?”. So what if they think your outfit is silly? Or so what if they think you messed up the presentation?

This question often leads you to realize what you’re afraid of. And it puts you back in the driver’s seat of your emotions.

You can ask yourself “so what” as many times as you need to until the stress and anxiety around your worry about what others think dissipates.

It’s a simple and powerful tool. I use it often when I find myself getting caught up in my social anxiety.

It helps me realize that it doesn’t matter what others think of me at the end of the day.

4. Accept yourself first

Oftentimes, we exaggerate how much others are being critical of us because we don’t accept ourselves. 

We strive to be accepted by others because we haven’t gifted ourselves the love we so desperately seek.

You have to learn to value your opinion over that of others. Once that sinks in, you don’t care nearly as much about others’ perceptions.

You start to realize that you can make yourself happy. And you start to see that you’re putting unnecessary pressure on yourself to please others.

By loving who you are and accepting your beautiful flaws, you can be content regardless of the outcome of any social situation. Because you accept that you are enough and you always will be.

Accept yourself as you are. Because if no one has told you lately, let me remind you that you are pretty stinking wonderful.

5. Ask for feedback

If you are living in fear that others are constantly judging you, a healthy response is to ask for authentic feedback from folks you trust.

Instead of assuming people are having certain thoughts about you or your work, you can directly ask. This way there is no guessing what they are thinking.

This also helps you avoid the self-conscious narrative in your head about how they are judging you or not accepting you. And often the feedback you receive indicates that people are not being as critical of you as you think.

I remember treating a patient where I assumed the patient was feeling dissatisfied with the session secondary to them being silent. I felt bummed because I thought I had failed them as a clinician and they would not come back.

I’m not sure what prompted me to ask for feedback about the session, but I did. Turns out the patient was very happy with the session but had lost a loved one earlier that day.

Instantaneously I realized how much we assume people are reacting to us when in reality there are so many factors shaping their reactions.

If you are creating a destructive narrative in your head, stop the story in its tracks. Just ask the person for feedback, so you’re not trying to play mind reader.

By the way: If you want to start feeling better and more productive, I’ve condensed the information of 100’s of our articles into a 10-step mental health cheat sheet here.

This Cheat Sheet Will Help You Be Happier and More Productive

Thrive under stress and crush your goals with these 10 unique tips for your mental health.

Download The Free Cheat Sheet

Wrapping up

No one likes to feel like their life is being lived from center stage in front of a panel of critics. Using the tips from this article, you can defeat this bias called the spotlight effect and gracefully navigate the social stage. And once you leave your self-perceived spotlight, you may find you enjoy your role in the show of life so much more.

Have you felt like you’re in the spotlight lately? What’s your favorite tip from this article? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below!

Ashley Kaiser Author

Physical therapist, writer, and outdoor enthusiast from Arizona. Self-proclaimed dark chocolate addict and full-time adrenaline junkie. Obsessed with my dog and depending on the day my husband, too.

The post 5 Ways to Overcome the Spotlight Effect (and Worry Less) appeared first on Tracking Happiness.

The belief bias makes us more likely to accept something if it already aligns with our beliefs. So how do we prevent this? How can we tell when we should try to tackle a problem without being influenced by our prior beliefs.

This article will discuss what the belief bias is and how it impacts us in our daily lives. We will also suggest 5 ways to help you deal with the belief bias.

What is the belief bias?

In short, the belief bias is a cognitive bias where we decide what is believable based on our knowledge, past experiences, and beliefs, rather than logic.

Therefore, we often conclude an argument through previous knowledge rather than the validity of the discussion itself. 

This dictionary definition describes the belief bias as:

The tendency to be influenced by one’s knowledge about the world in evaluating conclusions and to accept them as true because they are believable rather than because they are logically valid.

What are examples of belief bias?

The belief bias affects our ability to utilize logic and engage our critical thinking brains. 

The belief bias is often associated with syllogistic reasoning. This type of reasoning takes the culmination of two generic statements to come up with a conclusion or fact that doesn’t always add up. 

We can find a common example of this bias in these three statements: 

1. All birds can fly
2. Pigeons can fly.
3. Therefore pigeons are birds.

We know pigeons are birds from experience. However, what about ostriches and penguins? Does the fact that they can’t fly mean that they are not birds? Butterflies aren’t birds, but they can fly!

Therefore this logical reasoning process is flawed, and belief bias has favored our knowledge over logic. 

Let’s use a current hugely polarized issue as another example. 

Some countries and many states in America are deeply affected by their religious beliefs. This knowledge and belief lead them to hold the belief bias that abortion is wrong. No exceptions. 

They believe this position to be “pro-life .” However, we know that when governments place restrictions on abortion rights, the mortality of women increases significantly! To put this into context, 68,000 women die annually of unsafe abortions. 

Many states withhold life-saving miscarriage care from women in desperate need. The reason for this is that the process is similar to abortion. So the belief that all abortion is wrong serves to endanger women. It is severely illogical, flawed, and based solely on a belief bias. 

Studies on belief bias

This study set out to examine if a participant’s beliefs about the empirical truth of a conclusion impacts their productivity and evaluation of a logical conclusion. 

The participants were issued a reasoning task at random. There were four reasoning tasks in total. Two used a production paradigm, and the other two used an evaluation paradigm. 

The paradigms themselves contained either neutral problems or belief-oriented problems. The authors kept the problems as similar as possible. 

The results found a significant belief bias in both the production and evaluation tasks. Moreover, what is particularly interesting is that this belief bias showed up regardless of the participants’ abstract reasoning ability – which the authors also tested them on. 

How does the belief bias affect your mental health?

The belief bias can affect anyone. Some factors may influence how it manifests in individuals, including: 

• Age.
• Religious beliefs. 
• Working memory. 
• General cognitive ability. 

Emotive topics may also affect the belief bias, as will arguments that are difficult to understand. 

When researching this article, I didn’t expect to learn that older adults are more susceptible to belief bias than younger adults. 

One explanation is that younger adults don’t have as much previous knowledge to inhibit when conducting logical reasoning tasks.

Many older adults wedge themselves into their ways and become a bit stuck. They then stop opening themselves up to life’s adventures and uncertainties. The older adults in my life are relatively inflexible in their ways and thinking. 

According to this article, the belief bias also renders older adults more susceptible to fake news. And fake news can cause all sorts of emotional anxiety and negative well-being. 

We are not using our logical reasoning skills when we are affected by belief bias. We are simply going along with what we think we already know without ensuring our knowledge fits the hypothesis at hand. 

Not only does this limit our growth, but it stunts our self-awareness and perception. 

5 tips for dealing with the belief bias

It’s tough to prevent our beliefs and previous knowledge from playing a part in our logical reasoning. It requires us to come at things with a clear mind and try to shake off all preconceptions. 

Here are 5 tips on how you can deal with the belief bias. 

1. Believe nothing and question everything

Is your belief even true? 

It’s time to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. Nobody likes to challenge their beliefs, nor do they want to be wrong. But surely it is better to build your thoughts on a factual basis rather than to allow some form of embellished belief to guide your logic? 

As we used to say in my days as a detective: believe nothing and question everything.  

This questioning helps us release our grip on specific ideas and beliefs. We learn to loosen our rigidity and adopt a more curious and flexible outlook. We become more open and unbiased. 

2. Develop your empathy

When we develop empathy, we learn to see things from another perspective. 

People with high levels of empathy can connect and understand others on a deep level. It is not about agreeing with another but recognizing the human feelings and emotions another may be enduring. 

A strength of empathetic people is that they seek points of commonality instead of using the difference in beliefs as a wedge. 

When we are open to another person’s feelings and emotions, we become aware of our own emotions and triggers. This awareness helps us recognize our biases. 

Here’s an article that explains how to be more empathetic (with examples).

3. Adopt a blank canvas mind

Imagine you could approach all problems, arguments, and critical thinking tasks with a blank canvas mind. No preconceptions, no taints of past experience. 

We can’t eradicate what we already know, but we can try our best to quiet our minds. There are numerous ways to help clear the mind and facilitate fresh thinking:

• Rhythmic breathing exercise. 
• Meditation and yoga. 
• Aerobic exercise. 
• Time in nature. 
• Decent sleep. 

Our brains think they are helping us by bringing our beliefs and past experiences to the fore. While it does make it easier for us to make a decision, it doesn’t always help us make the right decision.

More often than not, these past experiences only serve to introduce bias into our world. Learn to say “thank, but no thanks” to your brain and consciously reject its suggestions. 

4. Escape your echo chamber 

Oh, the good old echo chamber. A place of comfort and safety. But also a place where our growth and potential go to die. 

Please, for your happiness, escape that echo chamber. 

Being surrounded by people with the same opinions and beliefs only reinforces a closed mind. It keeps you inside your bubble of comfort. 

While you don’t need to change your opinions and views, you should at least be open to the idea that there are other opinions and thoughts. Explore the science and reasoning behind other options. 

I dare you to flirt with the idea that your way is not the highway. 

5. Argue with yourself 

Each time you participate in a debate, question whether your arguments are based on logic or beliefs. Sometimes, topics can be passionate and we respond emotionally. This response is perfectly normal. But it can also hinder us.

Learn to question yourself by challenging your arguments. Are you genuinely building your arguments on reason and logic, or are you relying on your beliefs and experience? 

• What is the basis of your argument? 
• Would an objective person see the logic behind our argument? 
• Is your view delivered through a rose-tinted lens?  

It’s never too late to question yourself and challenge your logic.

By the way: If you want to start feeling better and more productive, I’ve condensed the information of 100’s of our articles into a 10-step mental health cheat sheet here.

This Cheat Sheet Will Help You Be Happier and More Productive

Thrive under stress and crush your goals with these 10 unique tips for your mental health.

Download The Free Cheat Sheet

Wrapping up

The belief bias causes us to simply follow what we think we already know without ensuring our knowledge is factual. This limits our growth and stunts our self-awareness and perception. In this article, we have learned that just because something is believable doesn’t always mean it is logical.

When did you last fall victim to the belief bias? How did this impact your decision-making? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below!

Ali Hall Author

Kindness is my superpower. Dogs and nature are my oxygen. Psychology with Sports science graduate. Scottish born and bred. I’ve worked and traveled all over the world. Find me running long distances on the hills and trails.

The post What is Belief Bias? (5 Ways to Improve Your Decision-Making) appeared first on Tracking Happiness.

This unanimity in groups in humanity can lead us to fall prey to the groupthink bias. Instead of advocating for worthy or correct ideas, we quietly nod and agree with the group decision. This results in a sense of personal dissatisfaction and can even lead to the failure of a group as a whole.

If you’re ready to use your voice for the betterment of the group, then buckle up. This article will help you overcome the groupthink bias to help you and the groups you belong to thrive.

What is groupthink

Groupthink is a cognitive bias where everyone conforms to the group’s way of thinking instead of advocating for their individual way of thinking. This bias is particularly problematic when the group is agreeing to act cohesively on an immoral or wrong decision.

Simply put, groupthink means you follow the pack instead of using your own voice.

It might sound like agreeing with the group isn’t such a bad thing. And that may be true in some cases. However, groupthink eliminates diversity and creativity (and therefore happiness) within a group which is what helps groups grow as a whole.

And sometimes agreeing with the group means choosing the incorrect decision altogether. A group of people agreeing on the wrong choice still makes the choice wrong at the end of the day.

What are examples of groupthink?

I often encounter the concept of groupthink in my profession. In the medical field, people will often agree with the diagnosis that all the previous providers have told the patient.

Now let me start off by saying that the team diagnosis is often correct. However, there are also many cases where my own examination leads me to disagree with the diagnosis given by the medical team.

As someone who doesn’t enjoy confrontation, it feels easier to agree with the medical team instead of voicing my opinion. It’s also easier for the patient if the team appears unanimous in their understanding of their presentation.

I won’t pretend that there haven’t been times where I have agreed out of fear of upsetting the medical team. But as I have gained experience, it’s easier to respectfully share my opinion and go against the grain a bit.

Another commonplace where groupthink is present is in the classroom. Have you ever been a part of a discussion where everyone seems to be agreeing, but in your head you disagree?

How often have you raised your hand and disagreed with the entire class? If you’re like me, not as many times as you should have.

Too many times during PT school I nodded my head with the group instead of expressing a differing opinion.

The simple reality is as humans we long to fit in and be a part of the group. So disagreeing is tricky business when everyone else seems to be on the same page.

Studies on groupthink

What I find particularly intriguing is that groupthink is laced into scientific research itself. 

Researchers have found that even the peer-review process related to research articles exhibits bias and groupthink. Essentially, they found that once a claim had been made in a scientific article it was easier for following researchers to find data to further support that claim. 

And once a significant finding is made, individuals seem more motivated to perform research to further validate its existence as opposed to deny it.

It’s as though science itself is not exempt from human nature despite our best efforts.

Another study in 2016 found that if healthcare professionals give into groupthink patient outcomes tend to be poorer. They theorize this is because the team fails to entertain other hypotheses that could explain the patient’s symptoms.

It seems to me that no group is exempt from being at risk of experiencing the groupthink bias.

How does groupthink affect your mental health?

The groupthink bias often results in giving into peer pressure to feel included in the group. If you feel the desire to go against peer pressure, this can result in feeling isolated or a sense of rejection.

This is why I know I have given into the groupthink bias in the past. I don’t want to risk rejection or being the odd man out. Because no one will deny that being the odd man out is an uncomfortable feeling.

And the studies show that the influence of the people you know or groups you belong to is almost 100 times more powerful than that of strangers.

It all stems back to the desire to fit in and be a part of the group to feel a sense of worthiness.

But the truth of the matter is you are worthy regardless of whether or not your thoughts align with the group’s thoughts.

In moments where I have not stood up for my opinion, I ended up feeling a sense of shame that I wasn’t braver and bolder. I want to be the person who stands up for what they believe no matter what the cost.

And the more you learn to value your own thoughts, the less pressure and stress you will feel to fit in with the group. Because the right group will value your opinion, especially when it’s different.

5 ways to overcome groupthink

It’s time to embrace your inner black sheep and overcome groupthink with these 5 tips.

1. Join diverse groups

When it comes to forming groups or joining groups, seek out diversity. People with varying backgrounds are less likely to think exactly the same and will encourage new insights.

Diversity can help assure that the group doesn’t stick to one perspective. This in and of itself can effectively counter groupthink.

I remember I used to spend most of my time hanging out with physical therapists. Naturally, it was easier to agree with these folks because to risk disagreeing would make me look ineffective at my profession.

However, we started to invite some medical doctors to hang out. And when we would have discussions, they would have totally different perspectives than we did.

These different perspectives made me feel more comfortable sharing my opinion, even when it didn’t align with the rest of the group. The diversity of the group alone was enough to break up the instinctual head nodding.

2. Make space for open discussion

If you don’t feel safe or comfortable to have an open discussion, then you are prone to fall prey to groupthink.

I recall a few years back I worked at a location where everyone was afraid to disagree with the boss. The boss could have been totally wrong, but if you wanted to keep your job you didn’t say a peep.

This resulted in staff meetings simply being gatherings where we all agreed with the boss’ opinion. As you can imagine, there was little room for growth in this group.

And because no one was willing to speak up, mistakes were made when the boss’ opinion was incorrect. As you can imagine this also led to a bunch of disgruntled employees.

On the other hand, I have worked in environments where everyone was encouraged to share their opinion. This is where groups thrive. The varying opinions and open discussion promotes growth.

This is why it’s key to open the discussion up in a manner that encourages folks to share their perspective.

3. Get clear on what matters to you

If you don’t know what you value, it’s easier to go with the group when it comes to tough decisions. This is why you need to clearly understand your values and advocate for them.

Just the other day I was a part of a discussion regarding a hot political topic. The entire group I was with was getting riled up and agreeing about something I thought was totally unethical.

Fortunately, I’m at a place in my life where I know what I value and I’m not afraid to say it. So instead of going along with the group, I respectfully spoke my mind.

The group was surprisingly open to these thoughts and we ended up having a highly productive conversation. We didn’t agree at the end of the day, but we had a healthy conversation where I didn’t ignore my values.

In moments like that, it can be highly uncomfortable to disagree. That’s just the plain and simple truth.

If you’re going to be bold and stand up for what you think, then you need to be clear about it before those moments arise. Being clear on who you are and what you believe will help you avoid giving into groupthink.

4. Play devil’s advocate

If you find that no one is questioning a thought process in a group setting, it’s time to play devil’s advocate.

I try to do this often when it comes to a few professional groups I am a part of. We have monthly meetings regarding physical therapy related topics.

At these meetings, they present case studies where they want groups to get together and problem solve the best treatment plan. Oftentimes, these groups will come up with similar solutions where everyone seems to simply nod their head.

I’ve started to play devil’s advocate and give a solution that’s in opposition to the group’s stance. It may sound like I’m just trying to stir the pot, but I promise that’s not the case. Or maybe it’s only half true.

But what ends up happening by considering the opposite opinion is you are able to see that your initial thoughts weren’t the only way of doing things. This usually spurs on much more meaningful conversation.

Try it next time you’re in a group where no one is asking questions in relation to a decision. I promise it will result in some interesting dialogue.

5. Support your group members

People are willing to speak up and participate in groups where they feel supported. If new ideas or perspectives are quickly shot down, it’s easier to just go with the crowd.

I try to make it a point during staff meetings to engage with the opinions of others so they know they are heard. I also like to say a simple thanks for sharing your thoughts to indicate my appreciation.

I know it sounds almost elementary, but feeling supported and supporting others is important for defeating groupthink.

I’m sure you can think of a time you were in a group where you didn’t feel valued. More likely than not, you weren’t motivated to share your opinion.

Cultivating an environment of support may be the easiest yet most effective way to assure you won’t be full of a room that blindly nods their heads.

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Wrapping up

The world could always use a few more black sheep. In fact, we need groups full of sheep of all colors with differing perspectives to help us avoid the groupthink bias. With the tips from this article, you can learn when to nod your head and when to speak up. Because if you want your group to thrive, it’s important to not live in a world of “yes sir”.

What’s your favorite tip to overcome groupthink? When was the last time you saw groupthink in your direct environment? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below!

Ashley Kaiser Author

Physical therapist, writer, and outdoor enthusiast from Arizona. Self-proclaimed dark chocolate addict and full-time adrenaline junkie. Obsessed with my dog and depending on the day my husband, too.

The post Groupthink: How it Affects Growth and 5 Ways to Overcome it appeared first on Tracking Happiness.