Counterclockwise

The power of possibility.
by Ellen Langer

A Second Opinion About Second Opinions

By Ellen Langer on October 28, 2009 in Counterclockwise

The medical world often encourages us to get a second opinion before embarking on expensive procedures. While getting a second opinion may seem straightforward, a closer look reveals that the process is not so simple. There are hidden effects of language at work here: First, the word "second" is typically not as good as "first," regardless of what it modifies. Read More

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Ellen Langer

Ellen Langer is a professor in the Psychology Department at Harvard University.

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