Less-Is-Better Effect
We sometimes prefer a smaller, more focused option over a larger, more valuable set.
The less-is-better effect is a reversal of preference that occurs when the lesser or seemingly lesser option is preferred when options are evaluated separately, but not when they are evaluated together (jointly). For example, people are willing to pay more for a smaller gift (a nice scarf) than a larger gift set that includes the scarf plus a cheap pen. The pen decreases the perceived value of the set.
What it looks like in the wild.
- Everyday life Gift Set Downgrade Adding a cheap gift to a nice gift actually reduces the perceived value of the bundle — the cheap item contaminates the quality of the expensive one.
Recognising a definition is not the same skill as spotting it.
Two scenarios from the app, with distractors drawn from the same family of biases — which is what makes them hard.
Maria is choosing between two gift baskets. One has 10 items, the other has 4 items but includes a rare cheese she loves. She picks the smaller basket.
At a restaurant, Fiona orders the chef's tasting menu of four exquisite dishes rather than ordering à la carte from a large menu.
Biases rarely arrive alone.
Understand more. Assume less.
188 biases, 18,869 scenarios, and a record of how you actually decide.
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