Lisa notes

What is the framing effect?

The framing effect is when our decisions vary because of the way information is presented to us (the frame), rather than the face value of the information itself (the painting).

Depending on the wording (framing), we draw different conclusions. We lean toward’s options that are framed positively (lives saved verses lives lost), and options that contain higher numbers versus lower numbers (95% fat-free versus 5% fat).

Here’s an example of the framing effect.

Remember Tom Sawyer tricking his friends to whitewash the fence? He was using the framing effect, convincing his friends it was a privilege to do the job.

Here’s a relevant example I saw. Say you’re presented with two identical containers of disinfectant wipes with their accompanying advertising.

• Type A: “Kills 95% of all germs”
• Type B: “Only 5% of germs survive”

You’re more likely to choose Type A than Type B because it is presented in a positive frame instead of a negative frame.

Another common example is a medical scenario. If you’re diagnosed with a terminal illness, which doctor will you choose?

• Doctor A: “You have a 10% chance of dying from surgery.”
• Doctor B: “You have a 90% chance of surviving surgery.”

Most people say they’d choose Doctor B, even though the odds are exactly the same with both doctors.

Why do we fall for the framing effect?

The framing effect is one of the largest biases we have when we make decisions. And it often increases with age, with the elderly more prone to make decisions based on presentation of the facts instead of on the facts themselves.

We’re biased toward gains instead of losses. Options framed in a positive light are more likely chosen. 

“A loss is perceived as more significant, and therefore more worthy of avoiding, than an equivalent gain.”

Also, as with all biases, when given the option, our brain will take the shortcut. It opts for information that is most easily understood. 

Research also says that framing leans on emotional responses. A charismatic political candidate can often get more votes despite having bad policies, than a boring candidate with better policies. We prefer the positive frame.

Why do we need to watch out for the framing effect?

The framing effect can be used either positively or negatively in influencing our choices. If a bad option is framed positively, we may choose it, if we don’t take measures to counter the framing effect.

We can be duped into overvaluing poor information simply because it is presented more clearly and is more understandable.

A great presentation can influence us more than the information itself because we see only what it wants us to see.

“Think about the metaphor behind the concept. A frame focuses attention on the painting it surrounds. Putting a painting in a red frame brings out the red in the work; putting the same painting in a blue frame brings out the blue.”

How can we guard against the framing effect?

Learn more about the issues and use critical thinking. Studies show that those more involved with an issue suffer less from framing effects around it, and make better informed decisions.

Take the opposite approach. If a message is framed negatively, put it into a positive frame for evaluation. If it’s framed positively, put it into a negative frame before deciding.

Get different perspectives. Ask others for their point of view. Encourage them to play devil’s advocate with you. Seek information from a variety of sources.

Look at the numbers. Even though statistics themselves can be framed in a variety of ways, look for the baseline numbers that answer the questions you’re asking.

How did Jesus see the framing effect?

Jesus presented the kingdom of heaven in upside down frame. The first will be last; to become a leader, be a servant; lose your life to find it; bless those who curse you.

Because he used a different perspective than they were expecting, his message was unsettling. They had to move past the packaging of a regular human being to hear the Son of God’s message.

Jesus shook their frame. 

But for those truly interested, his message caused them to really think. He actually encouraged them to do so, to thoroughly think it through. No man who puts his hand to the plow without counting the cost was fit for the kingdom.

And those who truly heard became true followers. He promised them escape from destruction and salvation eternally. It became an offer they couldn’t refuse.

May we truly listen for the truth as well. And accept the truth we hear, however it is framed.

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How have ever made a purchase based on the framing effect? Please share in the comments.

You are on Day 17 of the series: “How to Uncover Hidden Biases.”

Previous: Declinism {Bias Day 16}
“Are Things Really Worse Now?”

Next: Contact Bias {Bias Day 18}
“When You Don’t Know the Other”

Declinism? What is it?

Declinism is our predisposition to glorify the past as the good ol’ days compared to the doom and gloom of our current direction.

It’s the bias that that our society (or healthcare or the justice system or education) is heading downhill. 

What’s an example of declinism?

We all know (or maybe we are?) the stereotypical older person who tells the youngsters how good things were back in their day, when you could ride in the back of a pickup truck and you could pray in school and you didn’t have to keep up with how many followers and likes you had on Facebook. But now? The world is a mess, they say.

Or maybe you think music was only good from the 1960s; today’s music is junk. Or movies. Or church. Or race relations. Pick your genre; there’s someone who will insist that the past “___” was the best and the present/future is only getting worse.

Why does this happen?

Some blame the declinism bias on our “reminiscence bump.” Between the ages of 10-30, we create a memory bump of exciting and new experiences, judging our experiences after 30 as perhaps less thrilling in comparison.

We also have a survival instinct to stay alert for threats. With a negative mindset, we see what we’re looking for (confirmation bias). The news media monopolizes on this tendency by warning us about potential threats.

Regardless of which media you lean toward, you’re likely to see more negative stories about the future than positive stories. We put more weight on the negative things we see happening than the positive things (some say in a ratio of 3:1).

We also are uncomfortable with change. We want our world to make sense, and when things start to change, it troubles us and we can view it as negative, whether it is or not.

We’re also selective with our memories. Things aren’t always like we remember them. We don’t intend for it to happen, but our brains are more subjective than we realize.

“Even if we believe that we are looking at the past, present and future objectively when making decisions, the reality is that our brains think subjectively. Our present emotions, that are skewed by the negativity bias, have much greater weight in decision-making than our past emotions. They lead us to believe that things are worse now than they once were, and that things are only going to continue in that negative trend.”

Is it harmful to view the world as getting worse?

No, it’s not harmful to see things that are truly in decline. We need to notice and make improvements when possible.

The danger is when we assume some things are in decline when they are not. Declinism clouds our judgment of reality. It can distort our next steps.

When we view the past only through rose-colored glasses, we can become overly pessimistic about the future, thereby contributing to its decline instead of making wise decisions for its incline. It can become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Declinism also causes friction and alienation among people. When someone feels society is in decline, they tend to mistrust others and feel there is no hope. They’re more susceptible to mental disorders and behaviors instead of working toward making things better.

How can we avoid declinism?

Look at the evidence. Seek out reliable statistics. Stay curious. Many areas that we assume are in decline might be proven otherwise.

Find reasons to be grateful in the present and about the future. Reframe challenges as opportunities. Make a difference. 

Monitor your emotional state. Remember that nostalgia taints your view of the past. It makes it hard to think straight. Counter your negative views of the future with positive angles as well. Most of life is not an all-or-nothing proposition. 

Talk to or read about others who had different experiences in the past than your own. Perhaps your life 50 years ago was a delightful era, but those held in death’s grip of prejudice and discrimination will hold a completely opposite view.

More here:
“Were They Really the ‘Good Old Days’? Depends on Who You Ask”

How did Jesus handle declinism?

Because Jesus was an agent for change, we see his followers engaging in declinism about the old Law. The Pharisees and religious leaders didn’t appreciate the direction Jesus was heading with his new thoughts. They only saw the demise of their way of life and religion if Jesus was to succeed in his.

But Jesus continued to point toward a better future. He showed the way forward, toward hope and light and life. He promised the best was yet to come, not the worst.

We can hold on to those promises today. Even when things do look dark, we can remember there is always hope for a brighter tomorrow because God will be there with us in it. He will sustain us through the darkness and will guide us to the light.

Are things really worse now? 

Some things are. Maybe it’s time to let those things go. Or time for us to change them.

But many things are better. Let’s celebrate those as we live in the Light.  

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How have you seen this bias in your own life or relationships? Please share in the comments.

You are on Day 16 of the series: “How to Uncover Hidden Biases.”

Previous: Confirmation Bias {Bias Day 15}
“You’re Bad But I’m Just Stressed”

Next: Framing Effect Bias {Bias Day 17}
“How the Frame Influences the Painting”

What is the fundamental attribution error?

Fundamental attribution error (FAE) is how we judge negative behavior. When other people act bad, we assume it’s a character flaw. It’s just who they are.

But when we act bad? It’s due to external circumstances. It’s not fundamentally who we are. We’re just overworked, under stress, having an off day. 

FAE is overestimating the influence that personality has on other people’s behavior, and underestimating the influence of external circumstances on their behavior. And vice versa for us.

What’s an example of attributing a fundamental error to someone’s character?

If a coworker makes a mistake at work, we might assume they’re just lazy and don’t care. But if we make the same mistake, it’s because we weren’t given the proper instructions or were interrupted too many times.

Here’s another example of FAE: We see someone hit another car in a parking lot. We assume that person is a bad driver and goes too fast.

But if it happens to us, we only hit the car because it was in our blindspot or it came out of nowhere (um, I’m not speaking from personal experience, am I?). We know we’re a good driver and are always paying attention.

Why do we have this tendency toward FAE?

As with many of the other biases, fundamental attribution error is a mental shortcut. It’s easier for our minds to jump to the conclusion that a person’s behavior is a result of their personality versus trying to explore other possible explanations.

Interestingly, culture plays a role on who is more prone to this bias. In cultures that are strong in individualism (look at the United States), people are more prone to make the fundamental attribution error. They judge others quicker for not pulling themselves up by their own bootstraps, regardless of outside circumstances. 

But in cultures that are more group-oriented and who value the collective good (such as east Asian countries, Latin American, and African countries), they’re less likely to have this bias. They are less likely to erroneously assign character flaws to other people.

Why is it dangerous to have FAE?

It causes us to jump to the wrong conclusions about a person before we know all the facts. We assign blame and intent when we don’t have access to a person’s motivations.

It hurts our relationships on every level (work, play, parenting, romantic) when we judge others unfairly for character defects instead of also considering external circumstances.

How can we counter FAE?

Remember we all have a tendency toward this bias if we’re not aware of it. Keep in mind that it exists.

Also, reflect back on past situations that could help explain a person’s behavior. There may be outside reasons you can piece together. Perhaps think of what might cause you to behave in this manner in a similar situation.

Consider all the possibilities. When possible, give someone the benefit of the doubt first. Listen to their explanation of why something happened instead of blindly assuming they are at fault because of their character.

Don’t take someone else’s bad behavior personally. Odds are there are other factors involved instead of “they’re just a mean person” who is trying to hurt you.

And again, as with the other biases, slow down your thinking. Instead of believing the first explanation that pops into your mind, give it time. Other more reasonable ideas may present themselves, if given the opportunity to surface.

How did Jesus handle fundamental attribution error?

Jesus understood that people needed to be seen for their true character, made in God’s image, taking everything into account. He saw hope for redemption in every person.

Knowing how they would later behave, he could have called his followers “deserters” or “traitors” or “doubters.” But he didn’t. He saw them as more than their behavior on their worst day.  

Jesus also tells us to not judge others without a long look in the mirror. “Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?” (Matthew 7:3). And “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her” (John 8:7).

Examine our own hearts first. Then we’ll listen more carefully to each other’s hearts. And show grace more. Just like Jesus wants us to.

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How have you prematurely judged another person without having all the facts (which is always)? Share in the comments.

You are on Day 15 of the series: “How to Uncover Hidden Biases.”

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Previous: Scripture Wisdom {Bias Day 14}
“Wisdom’s Starting Point”

Next: Declinism Bias {Bias Day 16}
“Are Things Really Worse Now?”

Wisdom’s starting point? Respect for the Lord. Understanding follows.

Get to know the Lord.

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You are on Day 14 of the series: “How to Uncover Hidden Biases.”

Previous: Bias Quotes {Bias Day 13}
“Don’t Be Afraid of the Light—5 Quotes”

Next: Fundamental Attribution Error {Bias Day 15}
“You’re Bad But I’m Just Stressed—Fundamental Attribution Error”

“Understanding and believing are not the same thing.
—Gertrude Stein

~ * ~ * ~

“We would rather be ruined than changed
We would rather die in our dread
Than climb the cross of the moment
And let our illusions die.”  
—W. H. Auden

~ * ~ * ~

~ * ~ * ~

“Confidence is what you have before you understand the problem.”
—Woody Allen

~ * ~ * ~

“You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
John 8:32
—Jesus

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You are on Day 13 of the series: “How to Uncover Hidden Biases.”

Previous: Our Biases and Religion {Bias Day 12}
“Is Questioning Your Religion Bad? Or Is It Healthy?”

Next: Scripture {Bias Day 14}
“Wisdom’s Starting Point”