Money can't buy love.Expensive weddings = higher divorce rate. Why? Well perhaps it's due to the hedonic treadmill. |
The hedonic treadmill refers to the constant pursuit of happiness and the belief that material possessions will bring that happiness. However, as we acquire more material possessions or experiences, the happiness they bring becomes fleeting and short-lived. The same principle can be applied to expensive weddings. Many couples believe that an extravagant wedding will bring them happiness and a strong foundation for their marriage. They invest thousands of dollars into the wedding day, from the venue and catering to the dress and decorations. However, studies have shown that the more money spent on a wedding, the higher the divorce rate. Correlation does not = causation, but maybe there's something in this. Cheers, Phill Agnew |
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Disrupt Then Reframe Read online In his fantastic book 59 Seconds, Richard Wiseman¹ explains the “disrupt, then reframe” approach. The tactic briefly jolts someone out of autopilot with something unexpected, then follows with a straightforward request. In several experiments, researchers went door to door selling notepads for charity. The salesman would either say: 1️⃣ “They sell for $3. It’s a bargain.” 2️⃣ Or, they would introduce a small disruption: “They sell for 300 pennies — that’s $3....
Sharing Weaknesses Read online In the 1970s, researchers Jones and Gordon¹ from Duke University played people a recording of a man (really a stooge) talking about his life. During the tape the man explained he had not completed a school semester because he had been caught cheating and had been expelled. The researchers edited the tape so that: 1️⃣ Half of the participants heard this bombshell toward the beginning 2️⃣ Half of the participants heard it toward the end. Did the timing of the...
Mystery Effect Read online I submit a gas and electricity reading every month. Not because I'm diligent or disciplined. But because my supplier (Octopus Energy) nudges me to do so. Every time I leave a gas reading, they let me spin a wheel to win a potential reward. Most suppliers just ask for a reading (left). Octopus offer a chance to win (right). I've shared this before, but I haven't shared much evidence as to why it works. So, take a look at these images from a 2022 study¹.Which would...