We, humans, exhibit a strong bias toward keeping options open at all costs.
Psychology professors Dan Ariely and Jiwoong Shin conducted an experiment highlighting this tendency of us humans through a computer game.
Here players were faced with the choice of opening doors with potential rewards inside.
The study revealed that individuals often prioritize keeping options open, even at the expense of achieving optimal outcomes.
Read on to unlock the secrets of the inability to close doors bias!
Learn about the cognitive bias of ‘Inability To Close Door’ and how it affects our daily lives. Find out how you can guard against this bias and make wise decisions in your own life.
Understanding the “Inability to Close Doors”
“Inability to Close Doors” (in cognitive biases) is a phenomenon in which people find it difficult to move on from past decisions and actions. It is often seen when someone feels they’ve invested too much time or resources into a project or choice, even when the resulting outcome is negative.
Now, coming back to the experiment of professors Ariely and Shin we previously told you about. In their game, players were to start with 100 points and be presented with red, green, and blue doors. Opening a room would cost one point, but entering it could earn them more points. Initially, players chose the most rewarding room and stayed there for the entire game, demonstrating logical behavior.
However, Ariely and Shin decided to change the rules. If players did not open doors within 12 moves, the doors began to shrink and eventually vanished. This change caused the players to rush from door to door, trying to secure access to all the potential treasure troves. Unfortunately, this unproductive scrambling resulted in the players scoring 15% fewer points than the previous game.
To add further complexity, the organizers introduced another twist: opening doors now cost three points. The same anxiety-driven behavior persisted despite learning how many points were hidden in each room. Players continued to squander their points to keep all doors open, unwilling to sacrifice options even when it was clear that it came at a cost.
Similarly, in the world of finance, the cost of a financial option on security is always clear. There is no such thing as a free option. However, in many other aspects of life, opportunities are free. But that’s just an illusion. Every choice comes with a price, although it may be hidden or ghostly!
So, why do humans tend to exhibit this irrational behavior at times? Is it because we often fail to recognize the potential downsides? Each decision we make requires mental energy and takes away time from other important activities like critical thinking and enjoying life.
Exploited And Exploiters
Typical victims of “Inability to Close Doors” (in cognitive biases) are those with a fear of failure or with an attachment to the past. These individuals often feel as though their mistakes are too costly and irreparable, so they don’t take action to move on.
Those who take advantage of this phenomenon are those who want to keep people stuck in their current situation, whether for personal gain or other reasons. This could be an employer wanting employees to stay in a job that’s not ideal or someone manipulating someone else into staying in a relationship even when it’s not beneficial.
Day-To-Day Inability to Close Doors
- Taking too long to pay off a loan because of feeling overwhelmed by its size, even though high interest rates make it more expensive in the long run.
- Staying in a job even after recognizing all its flaws and pitfalls due to not wanting to struggle to find a better one.
- Refusing to accept input or advice on fixing mistakes may validate that you were wrong in the first place.
- Sticking with an unhealthy lifestyle despite knowing its consequences, out of fear of change or having to invest time into starting over on new habits.
- Failed relationships drag on for years due to unwillingness to give up hope and move on from past decisions and emotions.
Recognizing When You Are Slipping Into The “Inability To Close Doors” Trap
One of the easiest ways to identify if you are falling into the trap of “Inability To Close Doors” is to take a step back and assess your emotions when faced with an important decision.
If you feel overwhelmed, anxious, or stuck in indecision, it may be a sign that you have difficulty making decisions due to cognitive biases. Other signs include:
- Procrastination on tasks that require action.
- Avoiding advice from those who may differ from you in opinion.
- Obsessing potential outcomes.
Overcoming The “Inability To Close Doors”
- Understand your choices and limit them to a few: Reflect on the options before you and select only a few most relevant to your needs or wants.
- Make sure each option satisfies your needs: Before making a decision, make sure that each option is beneficial for you in some way and that all of your needs will be met.
- Create an action plan with timelines: Once you’ve narrowed down your choices, create an action plan with steps and timelines to ensure that you stay on track with achieving your goals.
- Take into account the potential advantages and disadvantages associated with each available choice.
- Determine the potential risks and rewards attached to each option and assess which poses the least risk but provides the most benefit overall.
- Look at all options carefully before making a choice: Carefully look into all of your options before deciding which one is right for you. Taking into consideration the immediate as well as the lasting consequences
- Get outside help if needed: If you still can’t decide or need more information about any of the options in front of you, seek out help from someone with experience in this area or can provide unbiased advice about each choice.
- Stay flexible and open-minded: When making decisions, remember to keep an open mind so that new opportunities are not overlooked; also, stay flexible as circumstances may change over time, requiring different solutions than originally planned for
Final Thoughts
Shivaji Maharaj, the indomitable Maratha warrior king, carved a formidable legacy in Indian history. In the 17th century, he rose as a visionary leader, establishing the mighty Maratha empire and fiercely defending it against the powerful Mughal empire and other foreign forces.
One of Shivaji’s defining traits was his ability to close doors to the dominance of external powers. With tactical brilliance and unwavering determination, he thwarted the advances of the Mughals, ensuring that his people would not fall under their rule. His resistance became a beacon of hope for countless individuals yearning for freedom from foreign oppression.
Shivaji understood the dangers of leaving doors open to potential conquerors, leading him to implement shrewd military strategies, closing every possible avenue for the Mughals and other adversaries by fortifying his empire’s defenses and fiercely protecting his subjects.
He ensured that he would not submit to the Mughal empire, preserving the autonomy and self-governance he fought valiantly for. His unwavering commitment to the welfare and protection of his people elevated him to the status of a revered leader, admired for his resolute stance against foreign dominion.
Shivaji Maharaj’s legacy as a leader remains an inspiration to this day. His strategic prowess, determination, and unwavering resolve to safeguard his kingdom serve as a reminder that sometimes, closing doors is necessary to preserve one’s identity, freedom, and the well-being of those under his charge.
Finally
Conquering the ‘inability to close doors’ can be challenging, and taking small steps to work through it is perfectly normal. It is an ongoing battle, so keep improving and developing methods that work best for you.
Allow yourself to recognize what motivations can spark your ability to close the door on some opportunities and keep the ones most important to you.
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Reference
The above article is based on the book Thinking Clearly; this article is here to help us learn and understand how our minds can be tricked by something called cognitive biases.