12.13.06
You get what you pay for
Check out this article that talks about how erroneous expectations distort our decisions. In many cases these epectations can lead to self-fulfilling prophecies. Its a short read, but its still a good wake up call.
Why did the cheaper energy drink prove less effective? According to Shiv, we always get what we pay for. Since we expect cheaper goods to be less effective, they generally are less effective, even if they are identical to more expensive products. This is why brand-name aspirin works better than generic aspirin, or why wine tastes better when it comes from an expensive looking bottle. “We have these general beliefs about the world – for example, that cheaper products are of lower quality – and they translate into specific expectations about specific products,” said Shiv. “Then, once these expectations are activated, they start to really impact our behavior.”
I cant agree with them 100% of the time. I think there are many products people dont care what brand things are. Like soap, I might have an initial hesitation because I’ve never heard of a soap brand before. However, after using it for a while, all of a sudden it becomes the brand of choice. Eh.. So I would have to say my experiences change my perception.
While this article focuses on products and expectations, I think this insight applies to everything in life— including social relationships. This is how a first impression can set the tone of an entire friendship/relationship. This is also how, when we have egotistically ‘figured it all out’ and reached a decision, we may be actually boxing ourselves in our mental perception. And we deny the truth, no matter how logical and simple it may be. What we need is the consciousness and awareness to pierce through our ignorance to see the active reality. We all learn the hard way, make mistakes, and hurt those that we love.