7 Psychological Effects That Work on All of Us

The human brain, on some occasions, acts in a very strange way: it pushes us to perform illogical actions, believes in a lot of nonsensical things and even rewrites our memories. But, after all, what governs our choices?

O awesome.club gathered 7 psychological effects that have the power to manage some of your actions and brings tips on how to deal with it and even how to use certain effects in your favor. Check out!

And the so-called Zajonc effect (audience effect). At home, you may walk around in a frayed blouse, but in the company of others, you behave like a lady. But a person’s behavior depends not only on who we communicate with, but also on how many unwitting witnesses are nearby. For example, a man might give up his seat on the bus to impress a woman.

How not to fall into the trap? From time to time, ask yourself this question: “Am I doing this to please someone and make a good impression, or because I really want to?

This situation is known as the Hawthorne effect. For example, in a supermarket, you are offered to try a fish pate with a new flavor and then asked to complete a short questionnaire about the product. You will evaluate this new product in the best way and at home you will see that it has nothing special.

How not to fall into the trap? Try to maintain mental clarity and critical thinking. Participation in any poll or experiment does not mean that you have to give that product a positive review simply because you were chosen to answer the survey.

It’s the Zeigarnik effect. A person very well remembers material or events that have not been completed. For example, a waiter remembers your order until he takes it; once the order is placed, he starts to pay attention to the following customers’ orders and forgets his own. Your memory will make you have a backlog, whenever something was not done.

How not to fall into the trap? In order not to mix up your vast memories, it’s best to finalize tasks, even if it’s just in your head. This will help you not to live in the clouds and not to torture yourself with the eternal: “what would have happened if…?”.

This situation is known as the Veblen effect. An unjustified importance for products with high purchasing power. This effect is often found among young people, for whom status is of great importance. Discounted or sale products are considered defective.

How not to fall into the trap? If the new Gucci bag and the trip to Dubai are only needed for your Instagram posts, then you’re already being tricked by your mind. With any expensive purchase, try to answer honestly: are you paying for quality or prestige?

It is the situation called the total failure effect. People who make mistakes or slip ups sometimes look graceful and even prettier. While reaching for perfection creates distances and hinders us a lot.

How to use the effect? Don’t be afraid to look clumsy, talk or do something silly: it will make you more graceful. It is easier to meet and be inspired by such people, as those who walk around like “kings” and “queens” are more inaccessible.

This situation is known as the spotlight effect. It’s the feeling that they are always watching us and noticing all our slips and mistakes. If you went out without painting your eyes or without perfume, for example, you will be sincerely sure that everyone will notice you and laugh at you. A team of psychologists at Cornell University (USA) asked a group of people to wear a T-shirt with an idiotic message and calculated how many people actually noticed it. Survey participants who were wearing these T-shirts estimated twice as many people actually noticed the silly messages as actually did. That is, we overestimate others’ assessment of our shortcomings.

How not to fall into the trap? People notice our slip-ups a lot less than we think. If you have a coffee stain on your shirt, don’t think about it too much. Think: how much attention do you give to details in others to the point of noticing everything in everyone?

This situation is called the witness effect. When you need help, if fewer people are around you, someone will be more likely to help you. If there are a lot of people in a place, then each of them tends to think that the other will help the needy, and then few will take the initiative.

How to use it? If on public transport, for example, you suddenly feel unwell and need help, do not ask the crowd for help, but ask a specific person. Then there will be more possibilities who listen to your request.

Have you noticed any of these psychological phenomena at work? Share your observations with us! 🇧🇷