A recent study in the United States separated a population into two identical groups – the first was told that a programme had a 70% success rate and the second group had a 30% failure rate The two groups were then asked whether their perception of the programme was positive or negative. The first […]

  A recent study in the United States separated a population into two identical groups – the first was told that a programme had a 70% success rate and the second group had a 30% failure rate The two groups were then asked whether their perception of the programme was positive or negative. The first group had a positive view and the second group had a negative view In an associated study two groups were told that at the same time governor was standing for office economists were projecting 10,000 jobs being lost in the state in the year ahead. The first sample was then told that 6,000 jobs had been saved while the second group was told that 4,000 jobs had been lost The two groups were then asked whether they considered the governor a success or a failure. The first group thought him a success while the second…