Stretching Theory

Punishment

Why Do We Punish Others?

Eva M. Krockow Ph.D. on February 16, 2023

Punishing transgressors doesn't always change their behavior. Why do we keep doing it anyway?

Punishing transgressors doesn't always change their behavior. Why do we keep doing it anyway?

Cognition

Nudge or Boost: What’s Best For Changing Behavior?

Eva M. Krockow Ph.D. on January 13, 2023

Caught in the annual struggle to implement your New Year’s resolution? Nudging and boosting offer two different approaches to behavior change. Can you use them to your advantage?

Caught in the annual struggle to implement your New Year’s resolution? Nudging and boosting offer two different approaches to behavior change. Can you use them to your advantage?

Happiness

Now You Can Measure Christmas Spirit

Eva M. Krockow Ph.D. on December 22, 2022

Where do you score on the scale from Grumpy Grinch to Festive Fairy? A psychometric test of feelings and beliefs can help you measure your Christmas spirit.

Where do you score on the scale from Grumpy Grinch to Festive Fairy? A psychometric test of feelings and beliefs can help you measure your Christmas spirit.

Persuasion

Why Planning for the Future Is So Hard

Eva M. Krockow Ph.D. on November 17, 2022

Are you struggling to save money for the future or make long-term investments? People prefer immediate to delayed rewards, and this might be due to the way they perceive time.

Are you struggling to save money for the future or make long-term investments? People prefer immediate to delayed rewards, and this might be due to the way they perceive time.

Bias

Is It Dangerous to Believe in a Just World?

Eva M. Krockow Ph.D. on October 6, 2022

Why did Princess Diana’s death inspire two very different public reactions? Just world bias can explain tendencies for victim blaming after a disaster.

Why did Princess Diana’s death inspire two very different public reactions? Just world bias can explain tendencies for victim blaming after a disaster.

Cognition

The Surprising Upside of Thinking Backwards

Eva M. Krockow Ph.D. on September 12, 2022

Feeling daunted by your long-term goals? A strategy known as “backward induction” could help you develop a workable plan.

Feeling daunted by your long-term goals? A strategy known as “backward induction” could help you develop a workable plan.

Decision-Making

What Is Robust Decision-Making?

Eva M. Krockow Ph.D. on August 11, 2022

Are you facing the uncertainty of an unknown exam, adventurous trip, or new job? Robust decision-making can help by covering all eventualities and adapting choices as you go along.

Are you facing the uncertainty of an unknown exam, adventurous trip, or new job? Robust decision-making can help by covering all eventualities and adapting choices as you go along.

Consumer Behavior

How to Beat the Bottom-Dollar Effect

Eva M. Krockow Ph.D. on July 20, 2022

Ever suffered the emotional pain of spending your last penny? The bottom-dollar effect can lead to irrational choices, but these strategies can help overcome it.

Ever suffered the emotional pain of spending your last penny? The bottom-dollar effect can lead to irrational choices, but these strategies can help overcome it.

Fear

Is Fear of Change Holding You Back?

Eva M. Krockow Ph.D. on June 16, 2022

Have you ever let an opportunity pass by because you were afraid of change? Research highlights how powerful biases deter the proverbial leap of faith.

Have you ever let an opportunity pass by because you were afraid of change? Research highlights how powerful biases deter the proverbial leap of faith.

Cognition

The Benefits of Being a Slow Thinker

Eva M. Krockow Ph.D. on May 24, 2022

Being “slow” isn’t always a bad thing. Research shows that a slower approach to thinking can reduce bias and increase accuracy.

Being “slow” isn’t always a bad thing. Research shows that a slower approach to thinking can reduce bias and increase accuracy.

Placebo

3 Surprising Powers of the Placebo Effect

Eva M. Krockow Ph.D. on April 29, 2022

Can sugar pills cure illness? The power of the mind is greater than most people realize.

Can sugar pills cure illness? The power of the mind is greater than most people realize.

Motivation

How to Boost Motivation

Eva M. Krockow Ph.D. on April 6, 2022

What can a snake infestation teach us about rewards and motivation? The "Cobra Effect" highlights the unexpected consequences of well-intended incentives.

What can a snake infestation teach us about rewards and motivation? The "Cobra Effect" highlights the unexpected consequences of well-intended incentives.

Confidence

Are You Overconfident and Underconfident at the Same Time?

Eva M. Krockow Ph.D. on February 28, 2022

Why do smokers overestimate their risk of getting lung cancer, but also believe their risk is lower than average? A surprising explanation is offered by overconfidence research.

Why do smokers overestimate their risk of getting lung cancer, but also believe their risk is lower than average? A surprising explanation is offered by overconfidence research.

Bias

The Dangers of Wanting to Finish a Task

Eva M. Krockow Ph.D. on January 31, 2022

Who doesn’t enjoy ticking things off their to-do list? Unfortunately, the human drive to complete tasks can come with unexpected side effects.

Who doesn’t enjoy ticking things off their to-do list? Unfortunately, the human drive to complete tasks can come with unexpected side effects.

Heuristics

4 Simple Heuristics to Eat More Healthily

Eva M. Krockow Ph.D. on January 3, 2022

Are you struggling to follow complicated diet rules? Insights from decision psychology could help you make better food choices this year.

Are you struggling to follow complicated diet rules? Insights from decision psychology could help you make better food choices this year.

Bias

The IKEA Effect: Is Self-Made Really Better?

Eva M. Krockow Ph.D. on November 25, 2021

Has your IKEA Billy bookcase become a treasured centrepiece? It may be time to examine your judgment in light of the IKEA effect.

Has your IKEA Billy bookcase become a treasured centrepiece? It may be time to examine your judgment in light of the IKEA effect.

Heuristics

What's Great About "Good Enough"

Eva M. Krockow Ph.D. on October 29, 2021

Tired of making complex choices? A strategy of “satisficing” can help to speed up your decisions and even increase happiness with the outcome.

Tired of making complex choices? A strategy of “satisficing” can help to speed up your decisions and even increase happiness with the outcome.

Halo Effect

The Halo Effect: What It Is and How to Beat It

Eva M. Krockow Ph.D. on October 8, 2021

Is the Halo effect clouding your judgement? A three-step strategy can help you overcome the dangerous influences of first impressions.

Is the Halo effect clouding your judgement? A three-step strategy can help you overcome the dangerous influences of first impressions.

Memory

Is the Google Effect Messing With Your Brain?

Eva M. Krockow Ph.D. on September 8, 2021

Are you stuck in endless cycles of online searches without retaining any information? Read on for hands-on advice on how to boost your memory and combat the Google effect.

Are you stuck in endless cycles of online searches without retaining any information? Read on for hands-on advice on how to boost your memory and combat the Google effect.

Bias

How to Beat Survivorship Bias

Eva M. Krockow Ph.D. on August 4, 2021

Has watching Olympic athletes break world records led you to develop survivorship bias? A simple strategy can help you overcome its negative consequences.

Has watching Olympic athletes break world records led you to develop survivorship bias? A simple strategy can help you overcome its negative consequences.