Can grappling with complex issues be self-serving?
Posted on November 18, 2010 | posted by:
From constructing an elaborate meal, or chest of drawers to coming up with innovative hand washing solutions to decrease infection rates in hospitals – our brain likes to solve hard problems. There is a psychological bias called the Ikea Effect that rewards this very activity. The Ikea Effect is the preference one has for something that requires a considerable effort to accomplish as opposed to something that comes quickly or easily. We reward ourselves with a job well done and show preference for the object of our efforts regardless of whether or not it might be the best. We prefer the crappy Ikea chair we bought and screwed together precisely because of the effort it required to assemble. What does this mean for the pre-assembled Eames plywood chair in the corner? Does individual interest completely blind us to quality? What is the trap this provides for designers in a democratic and collaborative process? Can we let go of our own inferior designs and the Ikea Effect when faced with other proposals that might be better or will we always insist on our own designs success? As problems evolve to be more and more complex will the personal attachment to any one solution become more and more stubborn?
Finally, I can’t help but think about the upcoming holidays and wonder if we consume so much crap because gathering, buying and wrapping takes so little effort. Can we bring the Ikea Effect back to the holidays? Can’t we all agree that one thoughtful, effortful gift would be more beneficial for both the giver and the receiver? Can we send the Ikea Effect both ways?
Thanks to my brother, Jonah Lehrer on the Frontal Cortex for being my ikea.
Image: Flickr/Reds