An effect describes an observable phenomenon where something causes another thing to happen; often, this cause is not fully understood. Well-known effects include the Greenhouse Effect and the Placebo Effect; but scientists, psychologists, and other researchers have far too much curiosity to stop at “well-known.” Have you ever wondered, for instance, why Cheerios tend to clump together—and head to the edges—when they float in a bowl of milk? Why do Brazil nuts always end up at the top of a jar of nuts? Why do your friends always think they’re right about everything? Why does the shower curtain stick to you? Read on!
- Cheerios effect The natural tendency of small objects floating in water to attract one another—and to head toward the edges of the container.
- Brazil Nut effect [W]hen a group of different-sized particles is shaken vertically, the largest rise to the top.
- False-consensus effect In general, people have a tendency to internalize what they believe (as well as the ways they act, think, speak, and so on) as “normal” and correct. This is likely due in part to what’s known in psychology as the “availability heuristic,” the process of making decisions based on what immediately comes to mind. Given that we spend time with friend, family, and others who generally share many of our opinions and beliefs, this insular social grouping can contribute to the false-consensus effect.
- Hot chocolate effect Also known as the “allassonic effect,” the phenomenon is caused by the change of the speed of sound in the mug as the various new elements are introduced and as these new elements change. Specifically, the density of the bubbles created then the powder hits the liquid changes, causing a change in the sound that passes through them.
- Lake Wobegon effect [A] phenomenon whereby people consider themselves to be better than others—in other words, above average—with regard to specific abilities, skills, performance, and intellect.
- Name-letter effect Controversial studies have suggested that there appear to be significant correlations between the letters in peoples’ names and certain life choices they make and successes (or failures) they experience.
- Autokinetic effect When you’re in total darkness—say, in the woods at night—and you see a small point of light, stare at it. After awhile, that stationary light will appear to move in front of you, despite the fact that it isn’t moving at all.
- Shower curtain effect You’re taking a shower […] Then, with no provocation, the shower curtain simply reaches out and sticks to you.
- Sylvia Plath effect [A] theory that seeks to explain the apparently disproportionate number of female poets to suffer from mental illness. More broadly, it is claimed that poets of either gender—and even more broadly than that, creative writers—succumb more easily to depression and other mental illness than other writers, as well as other celebrities.
- Wagon-wheel effect [T]he optical illusion wherein spoked wheels seem to rotate differently than one might expect given the direction in which the vehicle is moving.
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