top of page
Search

The science of belief and reality

A group of soldiers went on a 40 km full-gear march. Researchers told one group it was 30 km, another the truth (40 km), and the last group 60 km.


Afterward, hormone tests showed their stress levels matched their expectations, not the actual distance.


The lesson? Our expectations shape our reality. Hope and despair are self-fulfilling prophecies.

 
 
 

Recent Posts

See All
Magically Trustworthy

The Pygmalion effect describes the tendency for us to act consistent with how people treat us. If employees or colleagues are treated as trustworthy and intelligent they are much more likely to act ac

 
 
 
The Habit Audit

Many of our traditions solve problems that no longer exist. Some persist because technology tempts us to automate everything. But efficiency without effectiveness just multiplies the waste, just faste

 
 
 
Fear of Loss or Less

A behavioral economics study showed that when monkeys were given an apple they were perfectly content, but when given two and then having one taken away they freaked out. It's worth noting that they a

 
 
 

Comments

bottom of page