Interview time: May 30, 2022 Interview location: Changzhou De’an Hospital Mental Health Center Psychological counselor: Chen Shan Case summary: Breaking linear thinking “Ding~” There is another coupon in the phone, and with the holidays As the holiday approaches, merchants are ge

Interview time: May 30, 2022

Interview location: Mental Health Center of Changzhou De'an Hospital

Psychological counselor: Chen Shan

Case summary: Breaking linear thinking

"Ding~" There’s another offer on my phone As the holidays approach, businesses are gearing up to issue coupons to attract consumers. Buy rice dumplings and get free salted duck eggs, 30% off for purchases over 300, and half price for the second item... Faced with the temptation of rounding off to the nearest dollar, consumers flocked to it, and ended up buying a bunch of things they didn't need in order to make up the order, unintentionally. We walked into the merchant's "birdcage".

In life, do you want to buy a new skirt just because you bought a new top? If you have a vase, you want to buy flowers. When you see a coupon, you want to save money. There are more and more things at home, but you don’t need everything. ? You may be stuck in the " birdcage effect ".

In 1907, James, an outstanding psychologist in modern times, retired from Harvard University together with his physicist friend Carlson. One day when the two were making a bet, James said to Carlson: "I have a way that will definitely allow you to raise a bird soon." Carlson disagreed because he had no intention of raising a bird at all.

It was Carlson’s birthday a few days later, and James gave Carlson a gift, which was an exquisite and beautiful birdcage. Carlson smiled and said: "Even if you give me a birdcage, I still don't know how to raise a bird. It's just a beautiful handicraft. You will lose." But he didn't expect that from then on, whenever there was a visitor at Carlson's house, he would Pointing to the empty birdcage next to the desk, he asked puzzledly: "Professor, where did your bird go? Did it fly away?" Carlson could only explain over and over again that he did not raise birds, but customers would always The confused expression made Carlson dumbfounded. As time went by, Carlson was forced to buy a bird and everyone stopped asking. James' "Birdcage Effect" was so successful.

When I see a birdcage, I will naturally think of a bird. When I see an ashtray, I will naturally think that this person smokes. I must buy something when I encounter a discount. I have to get married no matter what when I am thirty. Diamonds of more than one carat represent love... If you observe carefully, you will find that "birdcages" exist widely. It may be an object, a cognition or a habit. The "birdcage effect" causes us to be imprisoned by inertial thinking, unconsciously thinking about problems according to inherent patterns and routines, and ignoring other possibilities. It often limits our imagination space and restricts our creativity.

Cognitive psychology research shows that it is difficult for the human brain to understand non-linear relationships. Our brains tend to be simple straight lines, that is, linear relationship , and this "linear thinking" based on linear relationships is what most of us are accustomed to and good at using, because it is the simplest and most instinctive. We are always accustomed to thinking about problems according to the previous logic. After repeated use, we have formed a stable thinking pattern. For example, when we see a bird cage, we think it is for raising birds, but cannot think of the possibility of it being a handicraft. . On the other hand, the psychological pressure and hints caused by the outside world's incomprehension and distrust will also make us unconsciously enter the "birdcage" to avoid becoming an outlier among the crowd. For example, Professor Carlson succumbed to The public’s mindset is such that they bought birds to eliminate suspicion. Under the dual influence of self-thinking and the pressure of external public opinion, the "birdcage effect" is one of the top ten most difficult psychology to get rid of.So, how can we reduce the impact of the "birdcage effect" on us in our daily lives?

. Break linear thinking

"Habits become natural", linear thinking that is natural, accustomed and taken for granted locks us into the so-called routine and limits the possibility of breakthroughs and development. When facing problems and troubles in life, we must learn to think outside the box, try to think divergently, get rid of the constraints of existing cognition and habits, explore more feasibility in a variety of plans and approaches, and avoid being trapped in the "bird" mentality. "in the cage".

. Treat other people’s evaluations correctly

When faced with a variety of consumption routines, think clearly about whether you really need it, rather than trying to make ends meet or take advantage; when you hear other people’s opinions and evaluations, you must see your own heart clearly and stick to it. Stay true to your original intentions instead of following the crowd and compromising easily. In life, many people lose their principles and lose themselves because they care too much about other people's evaluations and opinions. We should learn to view other people's evaluations correctly and reduce the influence of the outside world on ourselves.

. Learn to use the "Birdcage Effect"

The psychological implications of the "Birdcage Effect" will affect our behavior inadvertently. We can also use this to help ourselves or others develop good habits. If we can place an open book within sight, we will habitually pick up the book and read it. Over time, it will help us develop a good habit of reading. If you hope that you can exercise and lose weight, you can buy beautiful and slim-fitting clothes. In order to wear the good-looking clothes in front of you, people often take the initiative to work hard to lose weight.

It is easy to fall into the "birdcage", but no matter how beautiful the appearance is, the "birdcage" will eventually restrict your freedom and development. It takes a little courage and wisdom to fly out of the "birdcage", but in the vast world, you can spread your wings, explore, take risks, and embrace freedom.

Chen Shan

national psychological counselor , national marriage and family counselor , social worker. Graduated from the University of Oregon in 2014 with a major in psychology. From 2013 to 2015, he was an intern at the Institution for Special Children in Oregon, USA. Main focus: positive psychotherapy, humanistic psychotherapy, good at interpersonal relationships, self-exploration, personal growth, emotional stress and other psychological issues.

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