Whenever you’re asked to rank something out of 10, how often do you pick 7?
You would think that 5/10 is the middle ground, given that it’s in the middle. But being the average value, how many times do you say 5/10?
And how likely do you say anything under 5, even though this range comprises all options that are below-average?
I believe we apply a positive bias to the ranking, and that 7 is the most popular choice. The scale isn’t really 1 to 10. It’s 5 to 10. A 10 is still a 10, but a 5 serves as the lowest point on the ranking.
So when we say 7, it’s safe. It’s “nice enough”. It’s the middle of our “10 point scale”. We feel good about picking 7 because it’s greater than 5, which must mean it’s a good choice, but it’s not high enough that it requires too much conviction or scrutiny.
But I believe this default needs to be challenged.
The next time you’re asked to rank something out of 10, don’t choose 7. Is it actually an 8, or is it a 6? Going either side of 7 will cause you to reflect on what it actually means to you.
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