Extra Credits

The Psychology of Knowing Something is Sus (2024x11)

: 10, 2024

Did you know the famous psychological experiment, the Iowa Gambling Task, reveals how our brains detect patterns? Participants are given four decks of cards, each containing rewards or penalties, with the goal of winning as much money as possible. The twist? The decks are rigged! Yet participants consciously figured out the trick after about 70 cards, had an inkling by 50, but their bodies showed stress by the 10th card, indicating an unconscious awareness. This phenomenon, known as Thin Slicing, shows our brains can detect patterns quickly, often before we can articulate them. Astonishing result and that is deeply relevant to game design!