Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Nudged into Frustration

While reading the book Nudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth, and Happiness by Richard Thaler, I found myself thinking "I totally fell for that!" over and over.  On campus, I am reminded of one example in the book every day.  I, apparently, cannot be trained and am tricked by this failure of architecture on the third floor of our very own Library.




















Please tell me I am not alone!  Why not label BOTH sides of the doors?  Thaler agrees, putting a handle on a door that is meant to be "pushed" goes against the basic principles of human psychology!

After I have spent hours increasing my skill set and confidence in whatever subject I am studying, I yank on that door as I attempt to leave and my ego hits the floor.  The shame!






Speaking of confusing our Automatic System, I am sure you have seen the sign in the window at one of Bozeman's favorite burger spots.  Burger Bobs!


It does make you look twice.  Interesting marketing choice....
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1 comment:

  1. Jodi LindgrenMarch 5, 2014 at 12:40 PM

    I definitely do that as well. I feel your pain! It never fails--even when I am consciously thinking about how to attack that door on the 3rd floor of the library I always pull first! Funny how we all fall victim to such a subtle change, even if it is just a door handle.

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