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Journalism of Courage
Ever noticed how some experiences stick in your mind as great, even if parts of them weren’t so fun? There’s a fascinating reason for that, and it’s called the peak-end rule. This little trick of the mind can actually help you enjoy life more, once you know how it works.
Sandeep Karode, a content creator, speaks about this at length. In a reel posted on Instagram, he shares, “The peak end rule is a psychological heuristic that determines how we remember an experience. So the experience could be longer and more uncomfortable. But if the peak of that experience was a good one and the experience ended on a good note, even though the unpleasant experience was longer, you will not remember it like that.”
Imagine if you could make your days, weeks, or even years feel better overall, just by focusing on certain moments. Sounds too good to be true, right? Well, that’s exactly what the peak-end rule is all about.
Neha Cadabam, senior psychologist and executive director at Cadabams Hospitals, says, “The peak-end rule is a cognitive bias where we judge an experience based primarily on how we felt at its peak (the most intense point) and its end, rather than the overall sum or average of every moment.”
This is due to two key psychological mechanisms:
*Duration Neglect: Our brains tend to discount the duration of an experience when forming memories. We might remember a short but intensely pleasurable moment more vividly than a longer, less intense period.
*Retrospective Evaluation: When recalling an experience, we tend to summarise it by focusing on the most salient moments, which often include the peak and end. This cognitive shortcut simplifies our memories and helps us make quick judgments.
By understanding the peak-end rule, Cadabam says, we can intentionally create more positive experiences:
Create Peak Moments: Actively seek out and savour peak experiences in your daily life. This could be anything from a delicious meal to a beautiful sunset to a meaningful conversation.
End on a High Note: End your day or activities with a positive ritual. This could be reading a few pages of a book, listening to your favorite song, or spending a few minutes reflecting on something you’re grateful for.
Break Up Monotonous Tasks: If you have a long, boring task, break it into smaller chunks and add enjoyable elements throughout or reward yourself with a small treat at the end.
Focus on Positive Memories: When reminiscing about past experiences, try to focus on the positive peaks and endings to enhance your overall recollection.
The peak-end rule is a powerful heuristic, but it’s not without limitations. Cadabam informs, “Not everyone is equally susceptible to the peak-end rule. People with a higher tendency towards nostalgia or those who are more present-focused might be less influenced by it.”
Some cultures place more emphasis on the overall experience rather than specific peak or end moments, she adds. “Intentionally manipulating experiences to create positive peaks and endings could be seen as deceptive or manipulative.”
The peak-end rule might not apply to all types of experiences. For example, events with a strong narrative structure, like a movie or a concert, might be evaluated differently.
