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Stretching Theory

A yogi’s twist on decision science

Bias
A World in Decline? Things Were Better in the Good Old Days

Eva M. Krockow Ph.D. on October 16, 2024

Basking in rosy memories of what used to be while worrying about a gloomy future? Declinism is a common tendency that may be fuelled by news reporting and political agendas.

Basking in rosy memories of what used to be while worrying about a gloomy future? Declinism is a common tendency that may be fuelled by news reporting and political agendas.

Cognition
Bye Versus Buy: Can Word Sound Affect Our Choices?

Eva M. Krockow Ph.D. on August 30, 2024

What comes to mind when you read the word “bye”? If you're thinking of shopping, you’re not alone. The bye-now effect evidences the power of similar-sounding words.

What comes to mind when you read the word “bye”? If you're thinking of shopping, you’re not alone. The bye-now effect evidences the power of similar-sounding words.

Social Media
How to Guard Yourself Against Fake News

Eva M. Krockow Ph.D. on June 26, 2024

What type of online media user are you? Reflecting on your engagement with online news contents could identify vulnerabilities to fake news and build resistance to misinformation.

What type of online media user are you? Reflecting on your engagement with online news contents could identify vulnerabilities to fake news and build resistance to misinformation.

Diet
How to Make Better Food Choices

Eva M. Krockow Ph.D. on March 27, 2024

How many food choices do you make each day? Research suggests the number may be as high as 226! Increased awareness of those choices could change your eating habits for the better.

How many food choices do you make each day? Research suggests the number may be as high as 226! Increased awareness of those choices could change your eating habits for the better.

Decision-Making
Should You Listen to Your Gut?

Eva M. Krockow Ph.D. on February 22, 2024

Do you consider decision-making to be a necessary chore? Think again. Intuitive gut decisions could help to lift your mood.

Do you consider decision-making to be a necessary chore? Think again. Intuitive gut decisions could help to lift your mood.

Cognition
People Judge Poetic Language as More Truthful

Eva M. Krockow Ph.D. on December 27, 2023

If our words are a delight, people think we are right. Research shows that rhyming language can influence how people perceive information.

If our words are a delight, people think we are right. Research shows that rhyming language can influence how people perceive information.

Guilt
What's the Perfect Gift?

Eva M. Krockow Ph.D. on November 25, 2023

Are you feeling the pressure of holiday gift-giving? The psychology of financial decision-making highlights the importance of emotions such as guilt when choosing gifts.

Are you feeling the pressure of holiday gift-giving? The psychology of financial decision-making highlights the importance of emotions such as guilt when choosing gifts.

Altruism
The Paradox of Compassion

Eva M. Krockow Ph.D. on November 1, 2023

Charitable donations spike at this time of year. But something known as "compassion fade" could misdirect our holiday generosity to less-worthy causes. Here's how.

Charitable donations spike at this time of year. But something known as "compassion fade" could misdirect our holiday generosity to less-worthy causes. Here's how.

Self-Control
Is Decision Fatigue Real?

Eva M. Krockow Ph.D. on September 28, 2023

Barack Obama and Mark Zuckerberg limit their daily choices to avoid decision fatigue or depletion of willpower. Is this really necessary?

Barack Obama and Mark Zuckerberg limit their daily choices to avoid decision fatigue or depletion of willpower. Is this really necessary?

Decision-Making
The Dangers of Overthinking

Eva M. Krockow Ph.D. on August 31, 2023

The tale of Buridan’s ass, the donkey who starved because she couldn’t decide between two haystacks, holds lessons for decision-making and overthinking.

The tale of Buridan’s ass, the donkey who starved because she couldn’t decide between two haystacks, holds lessons for decision-making and overthinking.

Stress
3 Ways of Coping

Eva M. Krockow Ph.D. on August 7, 2023

When life throws you the inevitable curveball, there are different ways to cope. Understanding different coping styles is paramount for finding comfort and respect.

When life throws you the inevitable curveball, there are different ways to cope. Understanding different coping styles is paramount for finding comfort and respect.

Wisdom
Why You Shouldn’t Follow the Crowd

Eva M. Krockow Ph.D. on June 28, 2023

Do you believe there’s safety in numbers? It can be tempting to imitate others and follow the crowd, but this type of “herding” behaviour may have dangerous consequences.

Do you believe there’s safety in numbers? It can be tempting to imitate others and follow the crowd, but this type of “herding” behaviour may have dangerous consequences.

Magical Thinking
Why People Believe in Horoscopes

Eva M. Krockow Ph.D. on June 14, 2023

Feeling the lure of horoscopes and fortune cookies? The Barnum effect explains why people believe in generic predictions of their future.

Feeling the lure of horoscopes and fortune cookies? The Barnum effect explains why people believe in generic predictions of their future.

Locus of Control
What’s Your Locus of Control—and Why Does It Matter?

Eva M. Krockow Ph.D. on April 24, 2023

Are you the master of your own destiny, or do you feel controlled by fate’s mysterious forces? Your “locus of control” can explain how you respond to life’s many challenges.

Are you the master of your own destiny, or do you feel controlled by fate’s mysterious forces? Your “locus of control” can explain how you respond to life’s many challenges.