The endowment effect skews perceptions of value from "summary" of Misbehaving by Richard H Thaler
The endowment effect is a curious phenomenon that reveals how people often overvalue objects simply because they own them. This cognitive bias skews our perceptions of value, leading us to believe that something we possess is worth more than it actually is. It is as if ownership imbues the object with special qualities that inflate its worth in our minds. This can be seen in various contexts, from the reluctance to part with a possession even when offered a fair price to the tendency to value items more highly simply because they belong to us. This effect was famously demonstrated by a series of experiments where participants were given mugs and then asked to trade them for other items of equivalent value. Surprisingly, most participants were unwilling to part with their mugs unless they were offered a significantly higher value in return. This irrational attachment to their possessions highlights how the endowment effect can cloud our judgment and lead us to make decisions that are not in our best interest.- Or cause us to overvalue items simply because they are in our possession. By understanding this cognitive bias, we can become more aware of how our own judgments may be influenced by ownership and strive to make more rational decisions. Ultimately, recognizing the endowment effect can help us navigate the complex interplay between perception and reality in the realm of value.
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