Rammeeffekten

Rammeeffekten, often translated as the "frame effect," is a cognitive bias that describes how people react differently to a particular choice depending on whether it is presented as a loss or as a gain. This phenomenon was famously demonstrated by psychologists Amos Tversky and Daniel Kahneman.

In essence, the frame effect illustrates that individuals are often risk-averse when presented with a positive frame (gains) and risk-seeking when presented with a negative frame (losses). For example, if a medical treatment is described as saving 200 out of 600 lives, people are more likely to choose it than if the same treatment is described as resulting in the death of 400 out of 600 people. The objective outcomes are identical, but the framing influences the decision.

This bias highlights the importance of how information is presented, rather than solely focusing on the objective facts. It suggests that our decisions are not always purely rational and can be swayed by the psychological impact of the language used. The frame effect has significant implications in various fields, including marketing, public policy, and healthcare, where the way choices are presented can profoundly affect public perception and behavior. Understanding the frame effect helps to recognize how seemingly minor changes in wording can lead to substantial differences in judgment and choice.