Shining a Light on the Spotlight Effect: Why We Think Everyone's Watching
The Spotlight Effect: Why We Think Everyone's Watching Have you ever had that moment when you thought the entire world was scrutinizing your every move, whether it was a coffee stain on your shirt or a simple stumble on the sidewalk? If you have, you're not alone. Welcome to the world of the "spotlight effect," a common cognitive bias that makes us believe we're always the centre of attention even when we're not! In this blog, we'll explore the spotlight effect, why it happens, and how to manage it. What is the Spotlight Effect? The spotlight effect is like a stage light that follows us around, except it's not a movie premiere – it's your everyday life. The spotlight effect is a psychological phenomenon where individuals tend to overestimate the extent to which others notice and pay attention to their appearance, behaviour, or mistakes. Essentially, it's the belief that we are the centre of attention, even when we're not. remember the las...
