Ambiguity Effect (Why do we prefer options we know?)
Today’s contemplation: “Am I living to reduce everything to my known or am I living to challenge my known?”
Some neuroscience and psychology studies tried to explain why we reduce everything to our known. I recall the ambiguity effect studied by Ellsberg. The sadhna is to challenge this condition and go beyond.
Here is an article explaining the ambiguity effect: https://thedecisionlab.com/biases/ambiguity-effect
Some neuroscience and psychology studies tried to explain why we reduce everything to our known. I recall the ambiguity effect studied by Ellsberg. The sadhna is to challenge this condition and go beyond.
Here is an article explaining the ambiguity effect: https://thedecisionlab.com/biases/ambiguity-effect
by Wei Wei
• 4 weeks, 1 day ago
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Such good read Emma, thank you for sharing 🌺 also interesting learning on the marketing application. This takeaway is something I will practice when I notice myself leaning too fast into the known and safe choices: “One of the easiest ways to overcome these cognitive tendencies is to seek more information. Take the time to do your research, ask clarifying questions, and analyze your choices carefully. Once you’ve assembled your information, creating a simple pros and cons list is a great way to shift your mindset from avoiding uncertainty (ambiguity averse) to embracing it (ambiguity seeking). In fact, one study found that counting the pros and cons of each choice results in a significant shift from ambiguity-averse to ambiguity-seeking, as this encourages people to think about the potential outcomes of all choices.”
Thank you Emma! I enjoyed this read with my morning coffee. It made me remember a book I read a few years ago called " A Year of Yes". Where the writer talked about a year of doing things they would typically say No to, because of comfort and knowing. It is a good read/audio book.