BS Story
When there are too many choices, people paralyze and ending up not making any decisions.
They stick with the default; what they tried before or is their default option.
This concept applies in different contexts. Because in Behavioral Science, we work with context.
Take, e.g., dating, since it is closer to my experience. My grandmother hasn't had many options in her village. There were few choices in your community if you didn't have a dating app. That makes people more prone to choose someone.
But with dating apps, there are many options.
And with all these options, I "refuse" to match hundreds of men in one week. Isn't crazy? More opportunities, and you can end up alone.
But you can consider other contexts too. What news to read, courses to pursue, videos to watch, SM channels to follow, and influencers to listen to?
We have so much and know so little.
We become less sensitive to people, less self-aware since we focus on what others think of us, and less creative in a world where creativity should flourish.
The crazy part is that we want options, knowledge, and creativity, but we penalize those who are different and choose differently.
My solution to all this is to be selective based on my internal values and the goals I set for myself.
I position myself as the maker of my life, and from this circle, I can choose where to go.
There is no wrong or right option for you. Assessing what you know, you must learn to say "no" wisely—considering your values and goals.
Random nudges to make your life wiser
Make the choices easy and help people choose more smoothly. Remove complexity from the options you present. Show people the benefits of the remaining options.
Use the Default option. This nudge has vast benefits if used correctly. Ex: Masks automatically sent by Amazon to employees; pre-filled forms for those who need to complete different forms (web or app).
Eliminate weak options. Studies have shown that many prospects don't help decision-making (see The Paradox of Choice). Eliminate the inferior options that cost everyone and leave only what is essential and brings value.
Make your life better
“commitment devices.” (Katy Milkman)
You use a commitment device whenever you do freedom that reduces your privileges to serve a greater goal.
a) Telling your boss you’ll finish an optional report by a specific date is a commitment device to get that work done.
b) Stocking your kitchen with small plates is a commitment device to help you eat smaller portions.
c) Downloading an app like Moment that lets you set daily limits on your smartphone use is a commitment device to reduce your technology addiction.
d) And at the extreme, putting your name on a gambling self-exclusion list so you’ll be arrested if you set foot in a casino is a commitment device to keep you away from the card tables.
Biases
Confirmation Bias.
Don't you believe that confirmation bias makes us judge poorly? How can you judge accurately if you:
a) look for evidence that confirms your beliefs?
b) didn't ever question your beliefs?
c) don't like to be wrong, as a human?
Being impartial is not in our nature since the human species would disappear if that were the case.
E.g., Did you ever hear a perspective of an event and then talk with a different person that almost contradicted the first perspective?
That’s confirmation bias.
We look for evidence to support our beliefs.
Two, e.g., from my recent experience.
1. I heard two different opinions about a situation from two sisters. The first sister told me about an external position in favorable terms since she has an example in her personal life similar to that situation. After a while, I met her sister. She mentions the same external case but in more negative terms! The same facts, but in different lights.
2. I went to a wedding to look for evidence that the couple was unhappy. I knew the couple before the wedding, and I always thought they were not a good fit (what can I do, my nonverbal taught me that?). Of course, at the wedding, I looked for clues to confirm my previous belief. I wonder what I’ve missed because of this biased perspective.
The conclusion is that you must be aware of your strong beliefs... they might be wrong. Look for evidence that contradicts your beliefs and search for different perspectives.
In this way, you can draw much wiser conclusions.
Inspiration from Behavioral Economics
Are you really paying attention? How many times do the players pass the ball?