Teens, Want Those Car Keys?

by

Wait ‘till after dinner to ask.

Israeli judges’ parole decisions made before and after lunch were tracked. The verdict? Better hope your case comes up after lunchtime. Chances of being granted parole before lunch were slim.

Today’s Economist notes that judges are susceptible to cognitive biases, just like you and me. If they roll the dice and end up with snake eyes, the sentence they give afterward will be lower. Just as if you are asked to think about higher numbers before you bid at auction, you’ll bid more for the same items than the judge next to you who rolled the snake eyes.

So now when you see your teenager eyeing that car through the window, you know what to do. Quick – hide the food!

photo credit: comedy_nose via photopin cc


Posted

in