All Things Numbered

Decision-Making

The Psychological Pull of Rankings and Top Lists

Mathew S. Isaac, Ph.D. on October 21, 2024

Research generates new insights on how we process rankings and "top" lists, which can have consequences for our evaluations and choices.

Research generates new insights on how we process rankings and "top" lists, which can have consequences for our evaluations and choices.

Bias

A Psychological Bias Helps Golfers Make Putts

Mathew S. Isaac, Ph.D. on May 19, 2024

Research shows that loss aversion can alter expectations, perceptions, and effort of athletes, spectators, and all decision-makers.

Research shows that loss aversion can alter expectations, perceptions, and effort of athletes, spectators, and all decision-makers.

Sport and Competition

How Jersey Numbers Affect Visual Judgments

Mathew S. Isaac, Ph.D. on December 24, 2023

Recent research shows that learned associations between numbers and size can lead to biased visual perceptions.

Recent research shows that learned associations between numbers and size can lead to biased visual perceptions.

Consumer Behavior

Why Overpriced Medical Cures Make You Especially Mad

Mathew S. Isaac, Ph.D. on May 22, 2023

New research finds that when a treatment is framed as a "cure," we expect it to be affordable and accessible.

New research finds that when a treatment is framed as a "cure," we expect it to be affordable and accessible.

Career

What Creators and Consumers of Lists Need to Know

Mathew S. Isaac, Ph.D. on January 4, 2023

Research cautions us about several cognitive biases related to lists that can affect the evaluations and decisions we make.

Research cautions us about several cognitive biases related to lists that can affect the evaluations and decisions we make.

Anxiety

Is Insurance Financial Protection or a Guardian Angel?

Mathew S. Isaac, Ph.D. on May 5, 2022

Insurance reduces the perceived likelihood that an insured mishap will occur. New research on anxiety and human cognition explains why.

Insurance reduces the perceived likelihood that an insured mishap will occur. New research on anxiety and human cognition explains why.

Intelligence

The Surprising Power of Perfection

Mathew S. Isaac, Ph.D. on September 20, 2021

Is perfect so much better than very, very good? New research in social psychology provides an answer.

Is perfect so much better than very, very good? New research in social psychology provides an answer.

Understanding Twins

Always Looking for a Bargain? This Trait May Be Inherited

Mathew S. Isaac, Ph.D. on March 28, 2021

New research suggests that genetic factors may contribute to consumers' interest in retail sales promotions.

New research suggests that genetic factors may contribute to consumers' interest in retail sales promotions.

Consumer Behavior

Numbers 101

Mathew S. Isaac, Ph.D. on March 12, 2021

How consumers process numerical information.

How consumers process numerical information.