up:: [[Affect heuristic]] Tags:: #🌱 # Identifiable victim effect "If I look at the mass I will never act. If I look at the one, I will" - Mother Teressa We are more moved by individual tragedies--especially involving those we are affiliated with--compared to tragedies that compound to insane statistical numbers. This effect occurs even if you point out an individual story and then point out the broader statistic. It's theorized this is because once you talk about masses of tragedy there is a feeling of psychological numbing. People feel there is nothing they can do so they give up on doing anything. ###### What are the implications from this effect on how to motivate people to help others or fight issues? Focus on the individual rather than the masses. Related: [[Humans are terrible at thinking statistically]] ___ # Resources