In the labyrinth of human decision-making, we often find ourselves at odds with our future selves. We make grand plans in moments of clarity and motivation, only to have them crumble when faced with the temptations of procrastination or instant gratification. Enter the commitment device: a self-imposed constraint designed to bridge the gap between our […]

In a world saturated with marketing messages and social media influence, understanding the subtle psychological forces that shape our preferences is more crucial than ever. Enter the Mere Exposure Effect, a concept that might explain why we find ourselves humming that irritating jingle or reaching for that familiar brand on the supermarket shelf. In his […]

Imagine you’re at a bustling restaurant, and your waiter effortlessly recites a long list of specials without missing a beat. Yet, moments after you’ve placed your order, they seem to have forgotten your face entirely. What’s going on here? This scenario illustrates the Zeigarnik Effect, a fascinating psychological phenomenon named after Soviet psychologist Bluma Zeigarnik. […]

Have you ever left your house with a small stain on your shirt and felt like everyone was staring at it? Or made a minor mistake during a presentation and believed the entire audience noticed? If so, you’ve experienced the Spotlight Effect. The Spotlight Effect is a cognitive bias that causes us to overestimate how […]

Cognitive reframing is a transformative mental technique rooted in cognitive behavioral therapy, as David D. Burns explains in his influential book Feeling Good. The idea involves altering our perception of events or circumstances to manage our emotional well-being better. At its essence, this technique involves recognizing and adjusting negative or irrational thoughts to enable a […]