The Impact of Expectation on… Everything
Do you like ramen? Expectations regarding what you are about to eat can change the way it tastes. Sounds like science fiction, I know.
A study out of the University of Oxford provided the same food to three different groups, then asked about their experience while measuring brain activity – the only difference between the groups was how the flavor was named. MSG was the secret ingredient. It was described for one group as a “rich and delicious taste” and described to the other groups as either “monosodium glutamate” or “boiled vegetable water”. What the researchers found went beyond psychological suggestion – there were quantifiable neurological differences between the groups. They found greater activation in the pleasure centers of the brain for the “rich and delicious” group than the other two… in the presence of the same food. The way the food was named changed the participants’ expectations and, quantifiably, their level of enjoyment (Grabenhorst et al, 2008).
How often do we describe a situation before experiencing it? That self-talk influences our experiences. “Steve in accounting is always so difficult” will impact the way you engage with Steve. And “Carol just doesn’t like me” will impact all future interactions with Carol.
At the World Economic Forum in 2018, Alia Crum (Stanford University) noted that “our minds aren’t passive observers simply perceiving reality as it is; our minds actually change reality.” She was highlighting the impact of personal expectations on lived experience. In volatile markets, some experience fear while others are enlivened by opportunity. In the workplace, some dread complicated conversations with peers, while others embrace the opportunity to work through problems together. Our expectations influence everything we do. While it might be difficult to confront the degree to which we are complicit in our personal challenges, we also find that true empowerment is possible. After all, the reality we will experience tomorrow is in part a product of the mindsets we hold today,” (Crum, 2018).
How it Works
The brain is an efficiency machine, constantly seeking to conserve energy and make quick judgments based on past experiences and beliefs. In service of that strategy, the brain will often default to familiar patterns of thinking and behavior, even if those patterns are not serving us well – when left unconsidered, those patterns are outcome-agnostic – they continue existing, regardless of whether ideal outcomes are achieved, (Barrett, 2018).
On the table I am sitting beside, there is a laptop and a cup of coffee. When I sat down, I had an existing concept of ‘table’ and what could be expected from it. I did not reinvestigate whether this table was like the rest, I just set my coffee on top of it, under the assumption that it would hold up. The efficiency machine between our ears makes these assumptions all the time. No big deal when it comes to inanimate objects, but there are obvious complications when it comes to people.
An analysis of our own self-talk might reveal what it is we bring to the table - namely, expectations of an actual table, or of the people sitting around it. That impact cannot be overstated. We not only influence outcomes but become subconsciously selective of what we notice in our surroundings. We should be aware that “the brain’s confidence in its predictions may be so strong that it chooses to discount some signals while accentuating others,” (Robson, p. 13).
Steve in accounting might be, in his own way, making efforts to connect that are overridden while his difficulties are highlighted; after all, we have decided that “Steve is always so difficult.”
Which is not to suggest that Steve is not difficult. The expectations and predictions come from somewhere. At all times, our “perception is indirectly influenced by inferences about current sensory input that make use of the perceiver’s knowledge of the world and prior experience with similar input,” (APA, 2018). But it is on us to decide whether we are comfortable with broad-brush expectations about Steve, Carol, the table, or the ramen. Thoughtful leaders – thoughtful people – should bring awareness to those default expectations.
To break free from the default setting, where appropriate, we must maintain a willingness to rewire in the presence of new information. Steve has been difficult in the past, but maybe he’s hoping to evolve and work more harmoniously with us in the future.
Self-fulfilling Prophecies
If “Steve is difficult” then we will perceive every subtle misstep as confirmation. This phenomenon occurs when our beliefs about a situation lead us to act in ways that confirm those beliefs. If we expect a social interaction to be awkward and uncomfortable, we may unknowingly behave in a way that creates that outcome. This can then reinforce our original belief and perpetuate a cycle of negative expectations and experiences.
Important to note that our own histories, not only our history with “Steve”, will influence our perception of the situation. The people in our lives, including our family, friends, and colleagues, shape our beliefs about ourselves and the world. If we are surrounded by supportive and positive individuals, we are more likely to view the world in a similar light. If our workplace is supportive and collaborative, we are more likely to return support and collaborate well. On the other hand, negative or toxic relationships can distort our perception and lead us to adopt damaging beliefs about ourselves and our abilities.
If one has been hurt in the past, they will safeguard against similar pain in future situations, even within brand new situations and with people they have never met. It is possible that Steve’s difficulty is at least partially influenced by previous interactions with people like Steve. Now, with historically influenced perception and expectations, our discord with Steve is somewhat predetermined. We can and should get the reins on our role in this phenomenon.
How to Control It
To break free from these patterns, we must actively work to reframe our expectations and perceptions. This can be a difficult and challenging process, especially if we have spent years reinforcing negative beliefs and behaviors. However, with patience and self-forgiveness, it is possible to rewire our brains and create new, healthier patterns of thinking and behavior.
One effective way to reframe our expectations and perceptions is to slow down and examine the objective truth of a situation. This requires us to step back from our initial beliefs and judgments, and take a more rational and logical approach to the situation. Often, and to the dismay of driven professionals, a slower one. By doing so, we can gain a clearer understanding of the reality, rather than getting caught up in our own biases and assumptions. The pursuit of objectivity can lead to patience, in an experience we call Objective Grace. It’s a strategy that has proven to be calming and, importantly, effective.
Steps to Rewire
1. Notice. Notice the current patterns. Bring awareness to them and (if possible) relieve judgement. Just see it for what it is. Simply noticing your own inherent subjectivity can help one cope with variable mood-states. Strip away expectations and notice what is happening in real time. It’s always the first step.
2. Decide. After noticing and working to understand what’s going on, you can recalibrate predictions with increased alignment to your intentions. What are you hoping to get out of a given situation? Return to the mantra of Practical Mindfulness (Does your behavior match your goal?) and reconcile the difference between the current situation and desired outcomes. In relationships and communication, people will often have to agree that ‘shared understanding’ is more important than ‘being right’ – shared understanding might include this ‘right’ opinion, but cannot be accomplished if the ‘right’ is forcefully imposed on the other people in the discussion. You will have to make a decision to step back, and evolve.
3. Evolve. This does not happen in a moment – it requires a continuous, conscious effort to evolve. Work on taking note of expectations, realizing how those expectations influence perception and subsequent communication. And keep working on it.
Remember that word, evolution. The outcomes might not be immediately obvious. It might seem like heavy labor at first. You don’t have to do it. But if you decide to take a thoughtful path forward, to relieve entrenched expectations and rewire default settings in a way that aligns better with desired outcomes, then keep walking the path.
Like any fitness, it will get easier over time. And it will most certainly be worth it.
References
APA, American Psychological Association (2018). “Unconscious Inference Theory” American Psychological Association (APA) Dictionary of Psychology, updated on 4/19/2018, https://dictionary.apa.org/unconscious-inference-theory
Barrett, L.F. and Davis, J.D. (2018) “Episode 42: Lisa Feldman Barrett, How Emotions are Made.” The Good Athlete Podcast, August 26, 2018, https://soundcloud.com/user-641070382/episode-42-lisa-feldman-barrett-how-emotions-are-made/sets
Crum, A. (2018). World Economic Forum transcript, January 2018, https://sparq.stanford.edu/sparq-health-director-crum-discusses-mindsets-world-economic-forum-video
Grabenhorst F., Rolls E.T., Bilderbeck A. (2008). How cognition modulates affective responses to taste and flavor: top-down influences on the orbitofrontal and pregenual cingulate cortices. Cereb Cortex. 18(7), 1549-59.
Robson, D. (2022). The Expectation Effect: How Your Mindset Can Change the World. New York, Henry Holt and Company.