The Daily Stat: A Task Looks Lighter When Help Is Promised

Are you having trouble viewing this email? If so, click here to see it in a web browser. HOME   |   BLOGS   |   THE MAGAZINE   |   BOOKS   |   AUTHORS   |   STORE RSS   |   Mobile OCTOBER 24, 2012 A Task Looks Lighter When Help Is Promised People who were asked to guess the weight of a box of potatoes gave an estimate that was 10% less if they were told they'd get help lifting it, according to a team led by Adam Doerrfeld of Rutgers University. When participants were told they'd have to lift the box solo, they correctly guessed it weighed 10.5 pounds, on average. When they were informed that another person would help them, they guessed 9.4 pounds. Our perceptions are shaped not only by what we can do by ourselves but by what we believe we can do with others' help, the researchers say. Source: Expecting to lift a box together makes the load look lighter Share Today's Stat: FEATURED PRODUCT Writing Skills: Harvard ManageMentor Online Module Online Tools Skillful writing helps you accomplish your business objectives and extends your influence as a manager. Learn to create clearer, more effective written communications. Includes specific guidelines for preparing memos, letters, emails, and other common business documents. One-year single user license. ADVERTISEMENT Follow the Stat: BEST SELLERS HBR's 10 Must Reads: The Essentials HBR's Must Reads Library Set Guide to Persuasive Presentations Guide to Better Business Writing Guide to Getting the Right Work Done PREVIOUS STATS A Glimpse of Green Makes You More Creative To Be Truly Happy, Be a Boss in a Small Company To Score Better in Video Games, Sniff Peppermint You're More Selfish When You Feel Close to a Selfish Person Don't Believe People Who Say They Work 60 Hours a Week When You Call in Sick, Beware the Suspicious Boss Getting a Bonus Increases Your Chance of Dying That Week It Helps to Boo the Opposing Pitcher Despite Myth, Many Retail Items Are No Cheaper on Black Friday College Admissions Officers Do Look at Facebook Introducing Mobile ManageMentor Powered by the proven content of Harvard ManageMentor™ iTunes >> Android >> UNSUBSCRIBE   |   UPDATE YOUR PROFILE   |   MORE EMAIL NEWSLETTERS   |   PRIVACY POLICY Was this email forwarded to you? If so, sign up to start receiving your own copy. ABOUT THIS MAILING LIST You have received this message because you subscribed to the "The Daily Stat" email newsletter from Harvard Business Review. If at any point you wish to remove yourself from this list, change your email address, or sign up for other email newsletters and alerts, please visit the Harvard Business Review Email Newsletter Preference Center. OPT OUT If you do not wish to receive any email messages from Harvard Business Review, click here. ADVERTISE WITH HBR This enewsletter is read by thousands of decision makers every day. Learn more about connecting your brand with this audience. Copyright © 2012 Harvard Business School Publishing, an affiliate of Harvard Business School. All rights reserved. Harvard Business Publishing | 60 Harvard Way | Boston, MA 02163 Customer Service: 800-545-7685 (+1-617-783-7600 outside the U.S. and Canada)