What is duckling syndrome and how it limits our options

What is duckling syndrome

Duckling Syndrome is a psychological phenomenon in which a person recognizes the best thing he sees in some area, and considers the rest not so good. And the less similarity with the first object, the worse.

This effect owes its name to the works of the zoologist Konrad Lorenz. At the beginning of the twentieth century, he spent a series of experiments on goslings and discovered a phenomenon called imprinting.

Lorentz noticed that if in the first 12–17 hours after birth, the chicks see a moving object instead of a goose, they will mistake it for their mother. As a result, the birds will follow him, even if it is a robotic stuffed animal or a person.

Subsequent experiments by other scientists confirmed the effect of imprinting. For example, chickens were tied to hands in yellow rubber gloves, from which they received food, and grown chickens tried to care behind them, intending to create a couple.

Despite the fact that geese were used in Lorenz's experiments, the effect was called "duckling syndrome" due to an error in translation from German into English, and then into Russian.

Speaking about this psychological phenomenon in people, most often they mean their attitude to digital products. This effect manifests itself when users do not want to learn new, more convenient programs and interfaces, preferring to use the familiar ones.

However, duckling syndrome can also manifest itself in any area of ​​life - from choosing food and entertainment to building a career and relations.

Why do people get duckling syndrome?

There are several reasons why people may become attached and loyal to less-than-ideal products.

We love the familiar

When we see something several times, we begin to like it more than something completely unfamiliar. This feature called simple impact effect.

For example, if people have already seen a picture, although they didn’t even really remember it, they will rate the image as more pleasant next time.

The same works with music tracks that you like more and more over time, and even with building relationships. For example, in one experiment discoveredthat people tend to choose partners who, according to various criteria - from appearance to character - resemble their parent of the opposite sex.

We are afraid of the unknown

Everyone dislikes the unknown, but more anxious people endure her with great difficulty, experiencing great stress.

It can be assumed that duckling syndrome is a way of protection. Familiar things, even if they are not so good, help to deal with anxietycaused by the unknown.

And to justify their subconscious fear, a person may recognize the familiar as the best and flatly refuse to try something new.

We believe that if something exists for a long time, it is better.

In one study, people were given estimate a couple of paintings, saying that one was painted in 1905 and the other in 2005. Participants recognized the older work as the best.

The same thing happened in other experiments comparing two brands of chocolate or medical practices like acupuncture. At the same time, in fact, the objects proposed for evaluation differed only in the description.

This effect can be seen everywhere in everyday life. For example, when people remain loyal to old brands, whose products are more expensive and inferior in quality to new ones.

Or when instead of modern methods of treatment they choose "ancient" practices, the effectiveness of which has not been proven and is highly questionable.

Can duckling syndrome hurt?

Loyalty to anything or anyone, from a phone model to a life partner, must be a conscious choice. If it is thoughtless, exists due to fear or habit, a person risks missing out on opportunities for development and a happy, fulfilling life.

Unwilling to learn new programs and tools, people reduce their efficiency and increase the time to complete tasks. Moreover, this applies to both work processes and household chores. Even hobby can be improved - optimize boring processes, freeing up time for creativity and pleasure.

Duckling Syndrome can also hurt relationships. If a person grew up in a family with an unhealthy atmosphere, in adulthood he is very likely to try to build a similar model. Bad, but at least familiar.

The world is full of new opportunities - delicious dishes, great music tracks, interesting activities. And over and over again, choosing the same thing, a person does not allow himself, and sometimes his loved ones, to fully enjoy everything that life offers.

Is it possible to overcome duckling syndrome

Duckling Syndrome can be dealt with by developing awareness and be honest with yourself.

The next time you're faced with an opportunity to try something new, don't turn it down right away. Apply the technique to analyze the advantages and disadvantages.

List the pros and cons, and then consider whether you can somehow eliminate the latter. If so, cross them out and see what's left.

For example, a partner invites you to visit a new place during your vacation instead of your usual resort. Before you refuse, try to highlight the advantages and disadvantages of such a trip.

Pros:

1. This will make your partner happy.
2. The sea is cleaner there, and the beaches are more comfortable.
3. Apart from beach holiday you can visit cultural sites or events.

Minuses:

1. Rest will cost more.
2. It's scary to go to an unfamiliar place.
3. You know you're going to feel bad about jet lag.

Then think about whether you can somehow get around the cons.

1. Money. Find cheaper tickets or a hotel. Refuse not particularly necessary purchases and spend these funds on a vacation.
2. Fear of the unknown. Learn more about the resort, read reviews, ask people who have been there to find out about all the possible problems, take out insurance.
3. Jet lag. Never decide.

Thus, you will be left with one minus and three pluses - why not visit a new resort?

This approach can work, but it will take a lot of effort to avoid bias. Try to look at the situation from the outside, as if choosing something not for yourself, but for another person. This will help get rid of "taste" and find the best solution.