You are on a diet and have decided to have a soup and a salad when you go out for lunch with a group of friends but find yourself ordering calorie rich pizza and a dessert because your friends suggested. What happened to your decision of eating healthy food?
Research says people tend to miss out on better solutions when the problem is discussed in a group. When a person in a group gives his opinion on the subject, the rest of the group immediately starts thinking on the option and it becomes harder for them to think of another alternative.
When study participants were exposed to one brand of soft drink and then asked to think of alternative brands, they came up with significantly more products when they were alone than when they were grouped with others.
When a group gets together, they can miss out on good options.Whether it’s with family or a group of co-workers, we could very quickly fixate on things and all come up with the same options.
says study team member H. Shanker Krishnan.
This may be good news for advertising and marketing professionals who can target their products more effectively at a soccer match where large groups of people watch the commercials together but may prove to be a disaster when people have to make major decisions like choosing a home, car or a university to study.
So, make all your major decisions alone as this would give you more time and options to think about.
Image:Nanogirl
Via: Livescience