#23: The First Instinct Fallacy

Adding an extra dose of behavioral science to your week with our series In a Nutshell— a collection of behavioral science principles, explained in 150 words or less, written weekly by CUBIC director Allison Zelkowitz.

When you were in high school or university and studying for a multiple-choice exam, did you ever receive the advice, “Go with your gut – don’t change your first answer”?

Unfortunately, decades of research has demonstrated that the majority of answer changes are actually from wrong to right.  So why do we believe a lie?

Researchers in the US conducted four studies to find the underlying cause of The First Instinct Fallacy.  They discovered that we feel more regret when we switch to the wrong answer, just like we kick ourselves when we move to a cashier queue that then starts moving slower.  Because we feel worse, “switching” mistakes are seared in our memories, so we believe they are more common.

While there is no single rule for deciding when to go with your gut, this excellent 5 minute video includes great tips for test-taking, slowing down and thinking things through.