Segregation EffectOpen Access

Segregation Effect

Positive experiences feel better overall when we spread them out

Whether it’s binging on a box set or mindlessly consuming a whole bar of chocolate, we enjoy things more when split into multiple time chunks.

Thaler (1985). Mental accounting and consumer choice. Marketing science, 4(3), 199-214.

The study

Setup

Setup

87 students were told that two men won in lotteries: Mr A won $50 in one lottery and $25 in another. Mr B only entered one lottery and won $75. The students were then asked who they believed to be happier.

What’s a Rich Text element?

The rich text element allows you to create and format headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, images, and video all in one place instead of having to add and format them individually. Just double-click and easily create content.

Static and dynamic content editing

A rich text element can be used with static or dynamic content. For static content, just drop it into any page and begin editing. For dynamic content, add a rich text field to any collection and then connect a rich text element to that field in the settings panel. Voila!

How to customize formatting for each rich text

Headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, figures, images, and figure captions can all be styled after a class is added to the rich text element using the "When inside of" nested selector system.

Results

Results

Results showed that students believed the segregated Mr A to be happier with his winnings.

Study graph
np_read_2490885_000000

Thaler (1985). Mental accounting and consumer choice. Marketing science, 4(3), 199-214.

Key Takeaways

1
1

Segregate the good.

Two small gains trump one large one. Be it team victories, feature announcements, product packaging or loyalty benefits, where can you break up the good into smaller, bite-size pieces?

Takeaway image
2
2

Highlight silver linings.

Separate a small gain from a larger perceived ‘loss’ to reduce consumer pain. For example, instead of offering a temporary price reduction, offer a special rebate equal to the proposed discount.

Takeaway image
3
3

Don't separate too small. We have a low-end threshold below which we experience no joy (Morewedge et al., 2007). Breaking a cookie into crumbs results in almost zero joy. Banks offering current account holders low monthly 'loyalty rewards' would do well to reframe them into larger, more meaningful chunks, or not do it at all. After all, no one wants to be reminded of the meaninglessness of their loyalty.

Takeaway image
4
4
Takeaway image
Takeaway image
np_read_2490885_000000
np_read_2490885_000000

In further detail

Takeaway image
Segregation Effect

Segregation Effect

Positive experiences feel better overall when we spread them out

Whether it’s binging on a box set or mindlessly consuming a whole bar of chocolate, we enjoy things more when split into multiple time chunks.

The study

Setup

87 students were told that two men won in lotteries: Mr A won $50 in one lottery and $25 in another. Mr B only entered one lottery and won $75. The students were then asked who they believed to be happier.

Results

Results showed that students believed the segregated Mr A to be happier with his winnings.

study graph
np_read_2490885_000000

In detail

Hungry for more?

Currently being sourced...
Nuggets

Snack on these...

Open access, foundational Nuggets

Scarcity

Scarcity

We value things more when they’re in limited supply

Social Proof

Social Proof

We copy the behaviors of others, especially in unfamiliar situations

Prospect Theory

Prospect Theory

A loss hurts more than an equal gain feels good

Reciprocity

Reciprocity

We’re hardwired to return kindness received

Framing

Framing

We make very different decisions based on how a fact is presented

Loss Aversion

Loss Aversion

We feel more negative when losing something than positive when we gain it

Self-Expression

Self-Expression

We constantly seek out ways to communicate our identity to others

Default Effect

Default Effect

We tend to accept the option pre-chosen for us

Priming

Priming

Our decisions are shaped by memories recalled from things just seen or heard

Anchoring

Anchoring

What we see first affects our judgement of everything thereafter

Autonomy Bias

Autonomy Bias

We have a deep-seated need to control our situations

Fast & Slow Thinking

Fast & Slow Thinking

We make knee-jerk spontaneous decisions that can cause regretful damage

Status Quo Bias

Status Quo Bias

We tend to stick with our previous choices, even if the alternatives might be better

Dynamic Norms

Dynamic Norms

We’re more likely to change if we can see a new behavior developing

Round Pricing Preference

Round Pricing Preference

We prefer and trust whole numbers over those ending in a 9

Salience

Salience

Our choices are determined by the information we're shown

Connected to

All Nuggets, data & takeaways

Academic data

Key takeaways

Pairings

Cheat Sheets

Collect Nuggets

Nuggets In The Wild

Monthly Coglode Live calls

Hungry for more?

Savour all of Coglode Cookbook

Sign up

Running workshops?

Segregation Effect

is included in Box One of our physical workshop tool
is included in Box Two of our physical workshop tool.
© 2013-24 Coglode

What's Cooking?

New Nugget In The Wild

How Experian's CreditLock creates calm with well-designed control
How Experian's CreditLock creates calm with well-designed control
This week

New Cheat Sheet

New "Overcoming Status Quo" Cheat Sheet
New "Overcoming Status Quo" Cheat Sheet
This week

Improvement

Simplified navigation
Simplified navigation
This week

Improvement

After ten years, just who is behind Coglode?
After ten years, just who is behind Coglode?
This week

Feature

Interactive Defaults Tool released
Interactive Defaults Tool released
This week

Coglode Live

Defaults Live video and deck now available
Defaults Live video and deck now available
This week

Cure

Cancelling Amazon Prime - An interactive, behavioural remedy
Cancelling Amazon Prime - An interactive, behavioural remedy
This week

New Nugget In The Wild

How new browser Arc overcomes Status Quo bias with Boosts and Zaps
How new browser Arc overcomes Status Quo bias with Boosts and Zaps
This week

New Cheat Sheet

New "Overcoming Risk Aversion" Cheat Sheet
New "Overcoming Risk Aversion" Cheat Sheet
This week

Feature

Cheat Sheets redesigned - Includes Checklists
Cheat Sheets redesigned - Includes Checklists
This week

Coglode Live

Self-Expression Live video and deck now available
Self-Expression Live video and deck now available
This week

Coglode Live

Self-Expression Live event announced
Self-Expression Live event announced
This week

Coglode Live

Feedback Loops video and deck now available
Feedback Loops video and deck now available
This week

Feature

Figma Behavioral Design System released
Figma Behavioral Design System released
This week

Feature

Figma Behavioral Design System sneak-peek
Figma Behavioral Design System sneak-peek
This week

Coglode Live

Feedback Loops Live event announced
Feedback Loops Live event announced
This week

Coglode Live

Prospect Theory video and deck now available
Prospect Theory video and deck now available
This week

New Nugget In The Wild

Reframing service fees as benefits
Reframing service fees as benefits
This week

Feature

Cookbook for Teams announced
Cookbook for Teams announced
This week

New Nugget In The Wild

Deliveroo's tipping system, behaviourally deconstructed
Deliveroo's tipping system, behaviourally deconstructed
This week

Improvement

Nuggets In The Wild component redesigned and rebuilt
Nuggets In The Wild component redesigned and rebuilt
This week

Feature

Completed core of forthcoming Nuggets Library for Figma
Completed core of forthcoming Nuggets Library for Figma
This week

New Nugget In The Wild

Flora case study into overcoming stagnant social proof
Flora case study into overcoming stagnant social proof
This week

Coglode Live

Open Access Prospect Theory Event added
Open Access Prospect Theory Event added
This week

New Nugget In The Wild

Case study that reframes product waste into a playful second life for cats
Case study that reframes product waste into a playful second life for cats
This week

Improvement

Improved persistent login pane
Improved persistent login pane
This week

New Pairing

New combo of Nuggets that reinforce the 'best' choice centrally
New combo of Nuggets that reinforce the 'best' choice centrally
This week