#63 – The Focusing Illusion

2 years ago

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Understanding The Focusing Illusion

The Focusing Illusion is the tendency we have to misjudge the scale of impact certain circumstances (pay raise, death of a loved one, new job) will have on our actual well-being. Marketers exploit this by inducing the public to believe that the “must-have” product will “greatly impact” their quality of life. This is greater for some goods than for others – greater say, for leather car seats, than for books on tape. Politicians use this as well by exaggerating the impact their policies will have on the well-being of the populace at large. Technology in the classroom, as an example, is often cited as the solution to better education. Health care reform will make a difference in the lives of people, but when you really focus on what it will actually do for each individual, the difference that health care reform will make is quite smaller than what politicians suggest it will be.

The focusing illusion prevents us from living a better life because, as a result of the way we perceive things, our tendency to overexaggerate the impact of certain things on our life causes unnecessary disillusionment which can ultimately lead to demoralization and even depression. Learning how the focusing illusion works in your own life, how to recognize it and how to set better expectations can be a freeing experience and even help you to live a better and happier life. At the same time, understanding this phenomena can improve your critical thinking skills.

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