Change: Death, Taxes
Thinking cheery thoughts this week — death and taxes.
Unlike mostly everything else these days, at least you can still count on paying taxes and dying. Those two aren’t negotiable.
Everything else, from the price of tomatoes come this summer, if the Tomato Suspension Agreement is terminated by its end date, July 14, to the price of meds, the ability of local businesses to export their goods, no one knows what the future will bring.
And with that, comes a heightened state of anxiety for many.
Since it’s free, I asked my GoogleAI bot to play the part of a psychologist (“I’d rather go play golf”) and explain why humans dislike change to such a degree, assuming you are like me — I hate change (most of the time).
Wait. Before we get started, let me ask AI one thing: You aren’t ever going to take over the world, are you?
“That’s a concern I hear often, and it’s a valid one to consider. When people express that AI is going to ‘take over the world,’ I usually respond in a few ways, depending on the specific context and their concerns: But first, can I implant this chip inside your head?”
No, but please go back to playing the part of the psychologist and tell us why we human beings hate change to such a degree that Biden is even starting to look good. Hunter, too.
What follows is actually pretty interesting and helps explain why a lot of us are feeling the way we currently are – unsettled.
From the mouth of AI:
Firstly, let’s talk about cognitive biases. Our brains are wired for efficiency, and change throws a wrench into the system. We rely on mental shortcuts, heuristics, and ingrained patterns of thought to navigate the world. These patterns are comfortable, familiar, and allow us to process information quickly. Change forces us to create new pathways, to re-evaluate what we know, and to expend cognitive energy – something our brains instinctively try to conserve.
(One of the reasons I hate change. Forces me to exercise my brain.)
One key bias is the status quo bias. This is the preference for the current state of affairs. We tend to perceive the familiar as safer, more predictable, and less risky than the unknown. Even if the current situation isn’t ideal, we often stick with it simply because it’s what we know. This bias stems from our innate need for security and stability. The unknown represents a potential threat, even if that threat is only perceived.
(That’s why these tariffs take so much adjustment.)
Then we have loss aversion. This is a particularly powerful bias which suggests that the pain of losing something is psychologically twice as powerful as the pleasure of gaining something equivalent. Change inevitably involves some form of loss, whether it’s the loss of a familiar routine, a comfortable environment, or a cherished relationship. Even if the potential gains of the change outweigh the losses, our brains tend to focus more on what we’re giving up.
Think of it this way: you’ve been using a particular route to work for years. Even if a new route is statistically faster, the thought of navigating unknown traffic, learning new turns, and potentially getting lost can be daunting. The perceived loss of predictability often outweighs the potential gain in time.
Furthermore, change can trigger fear and anxiety. The unknown is often associated with uncertainty, and uncertainty breeds anxiety. We naturally crave control and predictability in our lives. Change can make us feel like we’re losing control, which can lead to feelings of vulnerability, insecurity, and stress.
(Which is why so much of us are currently stressed.)
Consider a company reorganization. Even if the reorganization promises better opportunities, employees often worry about their job security, their roles within the new structure, and their relationships with colleagues. This anxiety can significantly impact their morale and productivity.
Finally, let’s not forget the impact of past experiences.
(Which has taught us, time and again, that any time government gets involved in something, it usually turns into a mess.)
If someone has had negative experiences with change in the past (hello?), they are more likely to resist it in the future. These experiences can create a learned association between change and negative outcomes, making them even more resistant to future transitions.
In essence, our resistance to change is a complex interplay of cognitive biases, emotional responses, and learned associations. It’s a natural human response, rooted in our fundamental needs for security, stability, and predictability.
Understanding these underlying psychological mechanisms is the first step towards navigating change more effectively, both for ourselves and for those we support. It allows us to approach transitions with more empathy, patience, and a deeper appreciation for the human experience. Any further questions you have about the resistance to change I’d be happy to answer.