[VIDEO] Duncan Nugget® #311: The Amazing Effects of Your Expectations

Which tastes better, Pepsi or Coke?

In a study done at Baylor College of Medicine, most people said they preferred Coke. But the researchers also monitored people’s brains while they tasted Coke and Pepsi.

When people knew what brand they were drinking, their brains lit up more for Coke than for Pepsi. But, the researchers changed things up. They told people they were drinking Coke even when they were drinking Pepsi and guess what? People’s brains lit up more for Pepsi.

Think about that. It wasn’t just the taste. It was an effect of their expectations.

That’s life.

If you are convinced ahead of time that something is going to be bad or good, many times it will be. Not because of the experience, it’s because of the amazing effects of your expectations.

Million-Dollar Question:
How are your expectations
influencing what happens in your life?

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DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Think about a time when you were going to do something new. Did you think of all the good things that could happen first or did you think about all of the bad things? What effect do you think that had on your experience? Is that how you normally approach new situations?

2. Think about a time when you met someone new. Did you notice all of the differences between the two of you first or the similarities first? What effect do you think that had on how you related to the person? Is that how you normally relate to people?

3. How do you feel about the following statement? “Be prepared for the worst, but expect the best.” Do you think this is a useful principle to live by? Why or why not?

4. Do you think it’s a good idea to always “think positive?” Why? Can you think of a situation when only thinking positive can make things worse or set you up for failure?

5. Have you ever expected something turn out a certain way, but it turned out completely different? What happened? Did it turn out better or worse? How did your expectations impact the outcome?