MasonFok.com » Psychology http://masonfok.com Rants and raves of a startup enthusiast. Wed, 28 Jul 2010 11:04:33 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 The art of choosing! http://masonfok.com/2010/07/the-art-of-choosing/ http://masonfok.com/2010/07/the-art-of-choosing/#comments Tue, 27 Jul 2010 16:49:48 +0000 Mason Fok http://masonfok.com/?p=155 Sheena Iyengar has invested years of study into how we feel about the choices we make from the trivial to the profound. On the lighter side her research challenges the accuracy of the saying a rose is a rose by any other name. Sometimes a rose by any other name probably does look different and maybe even smells different.

This is a little longer than the usual TED video but if you’re someone that is interested in not just the decision making process but also the cultural effects surrounding decisions you will not be able to look away.

]]> http://masonfok.com/2010/07/the-art-of-choosing/feed/ 0 An interesting recap on the change in media. http://masonfok.com/2010/06/an-interesting-recap-on-the-change-in-media/ http://masonfok.com/2010/06/an-interesting-recap-on-the-change-in-media/#comments Sat, 26 Jun 2010 06:50:49 +0000 Mason Fok http://masonfok.com/?p=153 The end of top down control of media is something that should be pretty common knowledge by now. The transformation process between traditional top down media to distributed / social media is still occurring on a daily basis.

Clay Shirky is a great evangelist of collaboration and believes that taking advantage of “spare” brainpower will change the way society works.

The audience is becoming more and more engaged. Engaged and empowered to contribute on anything from local news and politics to helping resolving issues big and small.

One thing I would like to focus on is that one person can easily be very, very wrong but the average of the majority is a path to greater accuracy. When these innovations empower the majority to contribute this sets the groundwork for a magnitude of improvement.

]]> http://masonfok.com/2010/06/an-interesting-recap-on-the-change-in-media/feed/ 0 Out of the box thinking designed to inspire innovation. http://masonfok.com/2010/05/out-of-the-box-thinking-designed-to-inspire-innovation/ http://masonfok.com/2010/05/out-of-the-box-thinking-designed-to-inspire-innovation/#comments Tue, 18 May 2010 22:15:45 +0000 Mason Fok http://masonfok.com/?p=139 An extreme space enthusiast from a young age Peter Diamandis has not limited himself by saying “It cannot be done” and because of this he has been the instigator for some crazy visionary ideas by fostering innovation through competition. The XPrize Foundation has now been responsible for inspiring new industries and revitalizing those currently stuck.

]]> http://masonfok.com/2010/05/out-of-the-box-thinking-designed-to-inspire-innovation/feed/ 0 How “Those that Lead” communicate! http://masonfok.com/2010/05/how-those-that-lead-communicate/ http://masonfok.com/2010/05/how-those-that-lead-communicate/#comments Fri, 14 May 2010 05:22:42 +0000 Mason Fok http://masonfok.com/?p=145 Simon Sinek has devised a simple to explain model for inspirational leadership. His model helps explain why some people and companies have the ability to hit and exceed the tipping point. Watch the video, buy the book. Consider this and you might just be starting with the “Why”. If you agree and want to apply this model, don’t forget to buy the book.

It’s a bit repetitive but I think it is justified: “People don’t buy what you do, they buy Why you do it.”

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]]> http://masonfok.com/2010/05/statistical-analysis-on-speakers/feed/ 0 Three Minute Guide to Starting a Movement http://masonfok.com/2010/04/three-minute-guide-to-starting-a-movement/ http://masonfok.com/2010/04/three-minute-guide-to-starting-a-movement/#comments Wed, 21 Apr 2010 22:07:55 +0000 Mason Fok http://masonfok.com/?p=130 I couldn’t look past this quick, clear and cleaver guide using a viral video to demonstrate how to effectively create a movement. Take 3 minutes to watch this and another to see how its lessons could be incorporated into your plans.

]]> http://masonfok.com/2010/04/three-minute-guide-to-starting-a-movement/feed/ 1 Why do we think it’s OK to cheat and steal (sometimes)? http://masonfok.com/2010/02/why-do-we-think-its-ok-to-cheat-and-steal-sometimes/ http://masonfok.com/2010/02/why-do-we-think-its-ok-to-cheat-and-steal-sometimes/#comments Mon, 22 Feb 2010 04:39:00 +0000 Mason Fok http://masonfok.com/?p=121 Dan Ariely is the bestselling author of Predictably Irrational, he describes many unorthodox and often downright odd experiments in an effort to identify how emotional states, moral codes and peer pressure affect our ability to make rational decisions.
This video coveres “Why we think it’s OK to cheat and steal (sometimes)”.

Taking these findings into account and assessing their affect on everyday life and you can find several environments that are actually geared towards cheating, intentional or not.
The Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) in Australia could really take these studies into consideration.
I would love to see a study whereby drivers are reminded of their oath to abide by the road rules and not drive while fatigued. Do you think it could have a similar effect as the “honour code pledge”?

]]> http://masonfok.com/2010/02/why-do-we-think-its-ok-to-cheat-and-steal-sometimes/feed/ 0 Natural Sync http://masonfok.com/2009/07/natural-sync/ http://masonfok.com/2009/07/natural-sync/#comments Wed, 15 Jul 2009 18:49:04 +0000 Mason Fok http://masonfok.com/?p=71 There is order in nature, if you are a fish, a human or an inanimate object you have a natural tendency to synchronise. Psychologically and physically, I think this is something to remember.

You can replicate this underlying behaviour (synchronization) with an environment containing just four simple rules.

1. You only need to be aware of those nearest you
2. All individuals have a tendency to line up
3. Attraction to each other
4. Dangar = Get out of the way

These four rules have been explained with various definitions over time from laws of attraction to conforming to social pressure but it is these four rules that pop their head up in many welcome and unwelcome circumstances. Keep them in mind and you might just find yourself with a greater understanding of why certain things work and another that is seemingly similar fails.

]]> http://masonfok.com/2009/07/natural-sync/feed/ 0 Comparisons in decision-making – what makes a person happier? http://masonfok.com/2009/02/comparisons-in-decision-making-what-makes-a-person-happier/ http://masonfok.com/2009/02/comparisons-in-decision-making-what-makes-a-person-happier/#comments Wed, 18 Feb 2009 08:05:50 +0000 Mason Fok http://masonfok.com/?p=38 If you are responsible for planning your businesses pricing, packaging or anything that will require mental comparisons you should probably know the basics of human tendencies… they are not always what you think.

Dan Gilbert has a book that goes into more detail on this so if you like his surprising tests and research you will enjoy his book. Click here to check it out.

]]> http://masonfok.com/2009/02/comparisons-in-decision-making-what-makes-a-person-happier/feed/ 0 The Paradox of Choice – Why More Is Less http://masonfok.com/2009/02/paradox-of-choice-why-more-is-less/ http://masonfok.com/2009/02/paradox-of-choice-why-more-is-less/#comments Tue, 10 Feb 2009 07:10:26 +0000 Mason Fok http://masonfok.com/?p=34 Although most of what I think about is Psychological (in more ways the one), this is my first post to fall under the Psychology category.
Choice is a critical component of any businesses operating environment. Knowing about Choice helps you better see the world from someone else’s shoes.

The decision making process is an interesting area and Barry Schwartz is the Guru of Choice. Decision paralysis by excessive Choice is in my option responsible for making bad situations worse and worse situations even worse.

Consider how this applies to your marketplace… Are you selling real estate and did your inventory just grow considerably, you can bet buyers will take more time and not be as happy.

This human “condition” can explain a lot of what happens in the marketplace and can provide a great base for those that do forecasting.

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