Have you ever spent hours putting together a table that, while imperfect, feels like the best table in the world? This is the magic of the IKEA effect. The IKEA effect is when people place a higher value on things they create or manufacture themselves, even if they are not as sophisticated as the work of professionals. What is the psychological mechanism behind the IKEA effect? How does it affect our consumption and learning? Let’s explore together.
##Definition of IKEA effect You may have heard of IKEA, which is a famous furniture brand. The feature is to allow customers to assemble the furniture themselves . You’ve probably bought IKEA furniture, or at least visited one of its stores. An IKEA store is not just a place to sell furniture, it is also a place where you can eat, play and experience things. IKEA furniture is more than just some wood and screws, they are the fruits of your labor and creativity. Have you ever been proud of the pieces of furniture you put together, even if they looked imperfect? Have you ever felt like your handicrafts are worth more than someone else’s, even if they aren’t as beautiful as those of a professional? If you feel this way, then you are suffering from the “IKEA effect.” The IKEA effect is the tendency for people to place more value on things they have created or manufactured (even partially) than on things made or designed by others. This phenomenon is caused by a cognitive bias in which people overestimate their own efforts and results. The name IKEA effect comes from IKEA’s concept of self-assembled furniture, as it is a classic example of this phenomenon.
##Research on the IKEA Effect The IKEA Effect was discovered and named in a 2012 study by social psychologists Michael Norton, Daniel Mojon and Dan Ariely. They conducted several experiments that demonstrated that people value products they made themselves more highly than off-the-shelf products, even if their products were not as good as off-the-shelf products. They also found that how much people liked the products they made depended not only on their efforts, but also on their success. Only when people successfully complete a product do they develop the IKEA effect on it. If they fail, or don’t complete it, they lose interest in it. The IKEA effect exists not only among adults, but also among children. A 2014 study found that five-year-old children were more interested in and more willing to interact with toys that they built themselves than those that others had built. This suggests that the IKEA effect is a universal psychological phenomenon that may be related to human creativity and self-efficacy. ##Applications of the IKEA effect The IKEA effect is not just an interesting psychological phenomenon, it has many practical applications. It can help us understand and improve our behaviors and attitudes in consumption, study, and work. In terms of consumption, the IKEA effect can explain why people prefer customized products, such as cakes, clothes, accessories, etc. It could also explain why people are more willing to pay more for products they make themselves, such as the robots they assemble at Disneyland. The IKEA effect can help companies improve customer satisfaction and loyalty by providing more opportunities for independent choice and participation. It can also help customers improve their happiness and self-esteem by enjoying their creative process and results. In terms of learning, the IKEA effect can explain why people prefer knowledge discovered by themselves, such as through exploration, experimentation, discussion, etc. It may also explain why people place more value on homework they complete, such as through writing, drawing, programming, etc. The IKEA effect can help educators improve students’ learning motivation and effectiveness by providing more opportunities for independent learning and creative learning. It can also help students improve their learning interest and self-confidence by experiencing their own learning process and results. In terms of work, the IKEA effect can explain why people prefer projects of their own design, such as through planning, collaboration, innovation, etc. It can also explain why people value the results of their contributions more, such as through reports, demonstrations, evaluations, etc. The IKEA effect can help managers improve employees’ job satisfaction and performance by providing more opportunities for autonomous and creative work. It can also help employees improve their work enthusiasm and pride by showing their work processes and results.
##Enlightenment of the IKEA effect The IKEA effect tells us that people have a special emotion and perception of their efforts and results. This emotion and cognition can influence our value judgments and behavioral choices. The IKEA effect can help us better understand ourselves and others, and better enjoy and improve our lives. The IKEA effect also reminds us that the appeal of doing it yourself is not just about cost savings, but also about adding value. When we do things ourselves, we are not just makers, we are creators. We are not just consumers, we are producers. We are not just recipients, we are contributors. We are not just observers, we are participants. We are not just followers, we are leaders. We are not just beings, we are creators. This is the inspiration and encouragement that the IKEA effect brings to us. It makes us realize that our worth is not just determined by what we own, but also by what we do. It makes us discover that our happiness depends not only on what we get, but also on what we contribute. It makes us feel that our pride depends not only on our achievements but also on our efforts. So, next time you go to IKEA, or any place that lets you do it yourself, don’t just do it to save money or buy something, but to experience a different lifestyle. A more creative, valuable, and meaningful way of living. An IKEA effect lifestyle. Free Online Psychological Test WCS Williams Creativity Assessment Scale Free Online Test Test address:
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