Mental Minute

The Rhyme-as-Reason Effect is a cognitive bias where rhyming statements seem more truthful than non-rhyming ones. This episode explores why our brains link rhythm with credibility, how it’s used in persuasion and advertising, and how to spot—and resist—deceptively catchy logic. Sound logic isn’t always lyrical.

Why do we overestimate the impact of certain things on our happiness or decisions? Discover the focusing illusion, a cognitive bias that distorts our judgment by zooming in on one factor. Learn how to step back and see the bigger picture.

The Google Effect—also known as digital amnesia—describes our growing tendency to forget information easily found online. This episode explores how constant internet access changes memory, learning, and attention. Learn how to balance convenience with cognitive strength in a world where search engines have become our second brains.

Déformation Professionnelle is the tendency to interpret the world through the narrow lens of your profession. This episode explores how occupational bias shapes perception, decision-making, and problem-solving. Discover the benefits and pitfalls of professional tunnel vision—and how to expand your perspective beyond your area of expertise.

What happens when we only measure what’s easy to quantify? Explore the McNamara Fallacy, a warning against relying solely on numbers while ignoring deeper context. Learn how this mindset can lead to flawed decisions in business, policy, and everyday life.

The Decoy Effect is a cognitive bias where a third, less attractive option subtly steers decisions toward a target choice. This episode breaks down how asymmetric dominance works in marketing, pricing, and everyday life. Learn to recognize this manipulation tactic and make more intentional, independent decisions.

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The Negativity Bias makes our brains more sensitive to bad experiences than good ones. This episode explores its evolutionary roots, psychological impact, and how it shapes memory, relationships, and decision-making. Learn how to counteract this bias and cultivate a more balanced, resilient outlook in a world wired for negativity.

Need to speed up a late project? Think twice. Brooks’s Law warns that adding more people can actually make things worse. Explore why this counterintuitive idea matters in software development, teamwork, and time-sensitive projects.

Why do products often reflect the structure of the teams that build them? Explore Conway’s Law, the idea that organizational design shapes the systems we create. Learn how this insight explains inefficiencies—and how collaboration can shape better outcomes.

Why do teams spend more time on bike sheds than big decisions? Discover the Law of Triviality, the tendency to focus on simple, familiar issues while ignoring complex ones. Learn how this bias creeps into meetings, planning, and everyday choices.