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Framing

Definition

Framing refers to the way an issue is presented or "framed", which can significantly affect decisions and judgments.

Analogy

Imagine if your favorite pizza place started advertising their pizzas as "90% fat-free" instead of "10% fat". Even though both statements mean exactly the same thing, framing it as "90% fat-free" sounds much healthier and appealing. That's how framing works - changing how information is presented can drastically change our perception of it.

Related terms

Cognitive Dissonance Theory: This theory suggests that we feel discomfort when our actions are inconsistent with our beliefs, leading us to change either our actions or beliefs to reduce this discomfort.

Heuristics: These are mental shortcuts or rules-of-thumb that simplify decision-making but can often lead to biases in thinking.

Prospect Theory: A theory in behavioral economics that describes how people make choices under conditions of uncertainty, including framing effects.