Peak-end rule.

This rule suggests that our judgement of how painful or pleasurable a past event is depends on how the experience was at its peak or end, instead of the more rational way of taking a net average of the pain or pleasure experienced over the entire duration.

Experiments have been conducted to prove this, but like any theory, the empirical evidence is better validated when examined through a life example than a lab report. In this case, a good life example is something called an ORD date.

Well, maybe it is not a perfect example. There are many other factors that would mar an NSF attempting a reflection. For instance, an ORD date prescribes not only a looking back, it also signals a looking forward (So what now?) And vocation and responsibilities-wise, sometimes there also is the need to ensure proper closures are made as you hand over duties to an understudy. And yes, of course it also is about some sort of liberation:P Ironically though, that makes it a good example because theories would work better once ceteris paribus is removed from the picture.

So we approach this theory with the knowledge that ORD -or for that matter, any experience similar to a indication that something has come to an end- does not exist in a vacuum. That in mind, we can note a few things that peak-end rule implies.

It means that we can go through a lot of pain at the start, but when the sweetness of things set in finally at the end it overwhelms us to the extent that it becomes a victory. This isn't very surprising actually since its largely accepted by people like sportsman. The pain doesn't matter anymore when you finally reach that finishing point. However, the rule is not a description of reaping fruits of victory. It applies to processes which might not have anything to do with a matter of input and output, or working at something - a school year, social dynamics in a group, a security operation, a relationship, a day at work- initial pain is okay, finally what happens is what I take note of anyway. Of course, the reverse of this works with equal potency.

It also means that we can invest energy and attention in blaming/rejoicing over something when we are not really considering the full issue. The focus was really only on what happened at the peak-end. Such investments can lead to situations that a lot of thought is spent on something not as significant because of how it had ended, and little thought spent over a series of events because things had ended on a low note.

On a broader level, it means that we are not wise enough to judge effectively how something really felt on the whole. Post-event evaluations we make would be biased to the situations faced near the end of things. And those one or two events at the end will probably not carry the full significance of the entire effect. To take a stretch, it's probably like asking the question what kind of person you would be/how things would turn out, if not for X. Such really cannot truly be answered because X already happened and the askance, however regretful it is, is based on a reality you have already been affected and changed by. It's also probably like what aWWI solider survivor had said in an interview in Band of Brothers before a Band of Brothers (WWII 10-part series show) episode was played, "If we were in other circumstances, we could have been good friends. But he was just doing his job, and I was doing my job, and in that context, we had no choice." (paraphrased) Let me sugest that when you combine both sentiments, you come close to the implication of the rule.

Finally-
"these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, eventhe depths of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God."
- 1 Corinthians 2:10 - 11

There can be many things that bridges understanding, but anything that comes from man, while useful, is far from being the ultimate channel. Peak-end rule only reveals the weakness of man in being a finite being. There is more than just that.


If anything would make things clear, it won't be found in the wisdom of man, but the power of God.



"No, I don't feel lucky to be alive! I feel lucky I'm not dead. There's a difference." -- Mr Stoller, Breaking Away

Labels: Life, muse

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