Gain-framing vs. Loss-framing
Warning: this post is gonna be one of those rambly ones where I think as I type. Don't expect a lot of cohesiveness here!
Last week, I had a school assignment that involved pretending to be a nursing school instructor. So, I had to do some digging into the research about effective teaching methods.
We were supposed to design a class focusing on self-care for nurses (and nursing students because nursing school is kinda...hard. Ha.)
You guys already know that some of my favorite forms of self-care include:
- Prioritizing sleep
- Eating foods that fuel me
- Moving my body
And you also know that especially when it comes to dietary choices, I prefer to approach it from a positive direction.
I don't think of it as saying no to some foods; I think of it as saying yes to foods that make me feel good.
Anyway, in my search through the endless world of scholarly articles, I came across the concepts of gain-framing and loss-framing.
Basically, when you're trying to convince someone to change a behavior, you can inform them of the benefits they will gain if they make the change (You'll have more energy! You'll sleep better!) or you can warn them of the losses they might incur if they don't make the change (You'll be tired at work. You'll have blood sugar crashes.)
As I thought about this, I concluded that my personal mental framing is usually a combo of gain-framing and loss-framing.
I go to bed on time because I want to feel good the next day (and the implied corollary is that I hate feeling tired! I don't want that.)
I eat eggs, whole-grain toast, and fruit before work because I want to have energy and stamina for my shift (thus avoiding the misery of feeling shaky and tired at work).
ANYWAY. This train of thought also led me to think about gain-framing and loss-framing when it comes to spending.
Gain-framing would be something like, "I want to have extra money at the end of the month, so I'm going to cook at home."
And loss-framing would be more like, "If I keep eating out, I'm not going to be able to pay the credit card bill, so I'd better eat at home."
Loss-framing seems to tap into fear as a motivator, so it's definitely a less warm and fuzzy way of motivating oneself; I'd rather gain-frame.
However, the research I read indicates that, at least in cases of health topics, a warning of loss is sometimes more effective than gain-framing. And I would guess that our individual personalities also play into whether loss or gain is more motivating.
I'm curious to hear your thoughts on this. Do you find yourself more motivated by making gains or by avoiding losses?
P.S. When I think back to times in my life when I was closer to poverty, I lived in more monetary fear, which made it a little easier to default to a loss-framing way of thinking. So, while I do prefer gain-framing, I acknowledge that this is much simpler to do when you are not living on the razor edge of financial ruin.
Gain framing works best for me. What I do is think of how my future self will be happy - stocking up on food and leaving leftovers on the fridge made me very happy when I got back from vacation. Going to the gym and eating well will make my future body strong. Paying off loans now will make my future self less stressed. Future Me will appreciate clean sheets on the bed and cold water in the fridge. Present Me is very happy when Past Sophie has made the effort;)
Having said that, there's a balance, and I don't want to go through life having an impulse buy or never enjoying the moment!
*never having an impulse buy!
Fear, especially about money, is exhausting. I personally find it more helpful to frame goals/reasons positively on either side, while also acknowledging the consequences I fear. This "sandwich method"--positive, negative, positive--is how we were taught to critique work in college. No one is receptive to a long list of " This is terrible because X, Y, Z," but "X really explained your point well; Y could use _____; and Z brought everything together." We also weren't allowed to say just "I like it/dislike it" about anything, we were required to articulate WHY. Statements aren't helpful, reasons are.
"I want to be healthy; my family has a history of diabetes; I'll replace empty snacks with fruit and only eat when I'm genuinely hungry."
(Not the greatest example, but the coffee is still kicking in!)
First of all, I am thankful that you and your family left the slopes when you did.
I am more inclined towards gain thinking, but like you I am not paralysed by financial strain. There is a huge difference between choosing, and needing to.
@JNL, Agreed!
The gain/loss framing theory made me think of the push/pull factors when making a life change: what are all the aspects of your situation right now that push you towards your goal, and what are all the aspects of your goal that are pulling you towards it? If you think of buying instead of renting, changing jobs, moving across the country, etc. there are usually things that attract you towards the change, and things that make you want to leave your current situation.
Like push and pull factors, a combination of gain framing and loss framing can be a good way to motivate someone, as you’re using some fear activators that can create urgency and lead to action, but also some optimism activators, ‘it’s not all an obligation’.