#102 (200): Soccer Goalkeepers and CEOs Have This Same Mental Blind Spot - Do You?
Ever wonder why goalkeepers dive during penalty kicks when staying put is often more effective? The same psychological force that drives this behavior might be affecting your business decisions right now. You're about to learn why!
IN TODAY’S ARTICLE:
1. The Action Bias
2. Reinforce What You Learn
3. Recommended Critical Thinking Books
4. Next Friday: #103 The Hawthorne Effect
5. The Other 101 Cognitive Biases Covered On The Way to 200!
1. THE ACTION BIAS
🤔Understanding | ⚠️Harmful Effects | 🚧Susceptibility | 🚸Avoiding | 🚀Benefiting
🤔UNDERSTANDING THE ACTION BIAS
The action bias is our tendency to favor doing something over doing nothing, even when taking action might not be the best or most logical choice.
It's like this inherent need we have to feel in control of a situation. When something unexpected happens, or we're faced with a problem, we often feel this overwhelming urge to take immediate action, any action, just to do something. This can be helpful in many situations, but sometimes, jumping into action without thinking things through can actually lead to worse outcomes. It's really about understanding that inaction can also be a valid choice, and sometimes the best course of action is to wait, observe, and gather more information before doing anything.
Going Deeper:
The action bias was first formally identified and documented in 2002 by researchers Bar-Eli, Azar, Ritov, Keidar-Levin, and Schein in their study of soccer goalkeepers and penalty kicks. They published their findings in a paper titled "Action bias among elite soccer goalkeepers: The case of penalty kicks."
What's fascinating is that while the study focused on soccer goalkeepers, it revealed something much broader about human behavior. The researchers noticed that goalkeepers almost always dove left or right during penalty kicks, even though statistically, staying in the center would have been more effective about 29% of the time.
The concept itself builds on earlier work in behavioral economics and psychology, particularly on decision-making under uncertainty. It's related to omission bias (the tendency to judge harmful actions as worse than equally harmful omissions), which was studied by researchers like Jonathan Baron in the 1990s.
While Bar-Eli and his colleagues gave us the term "action bias" and the first formal study of it, they were really putting a name to a phenomenon that psychologists and economists had been circling around for years. It fits into the broader framework of cognitive biases that Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky began exploring in the 1970s.
Examples of the Action bias:
1️⃣ IMPULSIVE DECISIONS
When faced with uncertainty, people may act impulsively instead of taking time to assess the situation.
For example, a stock trader panics during a market dip and sells all their shares, even though patience might have been more profitable.
2️⃣UNNECESSARY FIXES
People feel compelled to “fix” situations, even if no action is needed.
For example, a soccer goalkeeper dives dramatically to the side on a penalty kick, even when standing still might block the shot.
3️⃣ BUSY BUT UNPRODUCTIVE
Sometimes action is mistaken for progress.
For example, a student spends hours reorganizing their notes instead of studying for an exam.
4️⃣HASTY SOLUTIONS IN EMERGENCIES
Quick responses during crises can lead to rash decisions.
For example, during a fire drill, an employee rushes for the exit and causes chaos rather than following procedure.
5️⃣ MICROMANAGING LEADERS
Leaders may take unnecessary actions to appear decisive.
For example, a manager constantly changes project plans without clear direction, creating confusion among employees.
6️⃣RUSHING HEALTH DECISIONS
When faced with medical symptoms, people might self-diagnose and start treatments without proper consultation.
For example, someone starts taking random medications after researching symptoms online instead of visiting a doctor.
⚠️HARMFUL EFFECTS OF THE ACTION BIAS
The action bias can be harmful because it prioritizes activity over thoughtful decision-making, often leading to wasted effort, poor outcomes, or unintended consequences.
Here are three potential negative consequences:
1️⃣ FINANCIAL LOSSES
Reacting impulsively in financial markets can lead to costly mistakes.
2️⃣ WORSENED PROBLEMS
Acting without planning can escalate an issue.
3️⃣ BURNOUT
Unnecessary action can drain energy and productivity.
🚧MOST SUSCEPTIBLE: ARE YOU PRONE TO THE ACTION BIAS?
People who are highly anxious, driven, or feel pressure to appear capable are most susceptible to action bias.
Here are examples of the top three characteristics of people most prone to the bias:
1️⃣ ANXIOUS INDIVIDUALS
They take action to relieve stress quickly.
2️⃣ HIGH-PRESSURE LEADERS
They take decisive action to maintain authority.
3️⃣ OVERACHIEVERS
They confuse constant motion for success.
🚸WAYS TO AVOID THE HARMFUL EFFECTS OF THE ACTION BIAS
To avoid action bias, people should learn to pause, analyze the situation, and recognize when inaction is more beneficial.
How to avoid the harmful effects of the Action Bias:
1️⃣ PAUSE BEFORE ACTING
Take a breath and evaluate before acting.
2️⃣ ASK FOR ADVICE
Consult others to avoid impulsive decisions.
3️⃣ FOCUS ON OUTCOMES
Ask, “Will this action make a difference?”
🚀USE THE ACTION BIAS FOR GOOD
By applying Action Bias responsibly and thoughtfully, we can transform impulsive tendencies into deliberate actions that benefit others. When action is purposeful—solving problems early, motivating others, or responding to real crises—it becomes a valuable tool for creating positive outcomes in our relationships and communities.
Here are three examples of how to use the bias ethically:
1️⃣ SOLVING SMALL ISSUES EARLY
Taking proactive, small actions can prevent bigger problems later on. Rather than waiting for things to worsen, minor issues can be addressed efficiently. This form of "responsible action" focuses on foresight, allowing you to resolve manageable concerns before they escalate.
How To: If a friend’s car tire looks slightly flat, encouraging them to check and inflate it immediately can save them from a dangerous blowout on the road. Similarly, noticing a dripping faucet and addressing it quickly prevents water damage and excessive costs.
2️⃣ BOOSTING TEAM MORALE
Action bias can drive motivation and create momentum for groups facing stagnation. When a team feels stuck or uninspired, a thoughtful leader or coworker can spark activity with meaningful actions—like brainstorming sessions, short check-ins, or recognizing small achievements.
How To: In an office environment, when team members seem unmotivated or directionless, initiating a quick and positive brainstorming session encourages fresh thinking. Action in this case is deliberate, with a focus on generating creative energy and solutions.
3️⃣ ACTING IN EMERGENCIES
In truly urgent situations, quick and decisive action can be lifesaving. Using action bias responsibly means knowing when hesitation or overthinking can be harmful, and acting with purpose when the situation demands it. This involves preparation—training yourself for emergencies—so action is informed and appropriate.
How To: If someone collapses from a medical emergency, knowing CPR and immediately stepping in can make a life-or-death difference. Taking action isn’t impulsive here; it’s based on training and a clear understanding of how to respond effectively under pressure.
2. REINFORCE WHAT YOU LEARNED
🖋️Glance Over the Poem
The Power of the Pause
Take a moment, pause, and breathe,
Not every problem needs to seethe.
Before you act, reflect and see,
Does action serve? Or will it flee?
3. RECOMMENDED CRITICAL THINKING BOOKS
4. ➡️UP NEXT: #103 The Hawthorne Effect
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5. COGNITIVE BIASES WE'VE COVERED (SO FAR)
Find them here: