Mind traps is a 2 part video with some interesting examples to shed light on several familiar and a few unfamiliar mental traps we all experience.
Cognitive Dissonance
We want something (like a job), we don’t get it, and then we tell ourselves we didn’t want it anyway, or it wasn’t a good opportunity. We do anything to prevent admitting we were wrong or change our beliefs.
Anchoring Effect
Is the tallest redwood more or less than 1200 feet tall? How tall would you guess the tallest one is?
If we put 1200 vs. 150, the guesses that people make are adjusted according to the random height included first.
Group 1 guessed 844 feet, group 2 estimated 282.
Anchors can be completely random. Similar to contrasting in Influence, random numbers can be placed as anchors to make us think differently about the real product or sale or anything.
Halo Effect
The sequence of information matters. The first information (Alan is intelligent) is perceived as more important than the later information (jealous, maniacal, etc.).
Just like anchoring, placing the right adjective or detail early on can change the view someone will have on the overall picture.
In meetings, the first people who talk (like the boss) affect the opinions of the other people before they share their view.
First impressions matter.
Confirmation Bias
Keep in mind not to only search for the things you believe, but the opposite too. “Why ISN’T karate the best martial art” in addition to “why is karate the best martial art”, to get more information.
Zeigarnik Effect
Incomplete tasks gnaw away at our thoughts. The best way to deal with things on your mind: write them down and include a small plan to deal with it.
Paradox of Choice
If showing 24 types of jam, 60% people looked at them, and 3% bought it. If 6 types were shown, 40% checked it out, and 30% bought.
The Framing Effect
2 types of popcorn are shown, small for $3, large for $7. If you also show a medium for $6, the number of people who opt for the large goes up. Without the medium framed that way, more people go for the $3.
In addition, when selling subscriptions, a magazine put the normal issue at $59, and a yearly issue plus online subscription at $125. When they added a regular subscription at $125, the same price, more people went for the yearly plus online subscription than before.
When showing 5% discount for using cash, vs. 5% surcharge for using cc, more people ignore the discount for convenience, and more people avoid the surcharge to avoid the pain.