Trends Cogn Sci April 2018 PMID 29477776

The Effort Paradox: Effort Is Both Costly and Valued.

Michael Inzlicht, Amitai Shenhav, Christopher Y Olivola

Mentions

142
Peak: 10 in Feb 2019
across 5 sources since Feb 2019

Extended reach

51,175
potential audience

Total likes

724

Video views

17,481

Mentions per month

Feb 2019 – Aug 2025

Where it's discussed

  • News100 articles
  • X / Twitter19 posts
  • Blogs17 articles
  • YouTube4 videos
  • Reddit2 posts

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The analysis reveals a consensus that effort has dual roles, with posts explaining how effort can both be disliked and valued, such as references to ultra-marathons, the Ikea effect, and psychological insights. The tone varies from curiosity to recognition of effort's importance, demonstrating both high interest and meaningful engagement with the ideas presented.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions agree that effort can be both costly and valuable, supporting the publication's thesis.

InterestHigh interest

Posts show high interest, discussing effort in contexts like ultra-marathons and psychological effects, indicating curiosity and engagement.

EngagementModerate engagement

Several interactions reference studies, question mechanisms, or relate to popular culture, showing thoughtful engagement.

ImpactModerate impact

The discussions suggest the article influences thinking about motivation and effort, with mentions of psychological and real-life applications.

Abstract in brief

  • Many cognitive psychology, neuroscience, and economics models suggest that effort, whether physical or mental, is considered costly, leading people and animals to often avoid it.
  • The authors argue that effort can actually enhance the value of outcomes, indicating that more effort can result in greater rewards and that individuals may choose tasks specifically because they require effort.
  • Understanding the positive aspects of effort is important for improving computational models of decision-making and can help in finding ways to encourage sustained mental effort.

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Michael Inzlicht
@minzlicht · X

Effort paradox: We often associate effort with reward and will engage in tasks precisely because they require effort (e.g. ultra-marathons) https://t.co/HzQYFRKbbh (@amitaishenhav & Christopher Olivola). How can effort be(come) valuable in and of itself? /2

Mar 4, 2024 · 8 likes · 2 shares · 8,719 followers View post →
Felix Javier
@habiaspensado · X

¿Por qué @FortniteGame es tan popular? ¿Cuáles son las razones psicológicas? Estreno en 15 mins! (12 pm sábado 9 febrero) https://t.co/p73sg13Zo0 vía @YouTube

Feb 9, 2019 · 4 likes · 1 share · 1,576 followers View post →
Boris Cheval
@chevalboris · X

@erikbij consistent with this paper of @minzlicht https://t.co/Oe4wuuaxb1

May 6, 2022 · 2 likes · 1,424 followers View post →
Carla Cantarella
@CarlaCantare · X

@Lilicite2 @emmet_awesome Sinon, sur cette page il y a pas mal de références sur la notion d'effort, avec des études qui remettent en question l'idée selon laquelle les humains seraient "naturellement" anti-effort et chercheraient toujours à en faire le moins possible https://t.co/uOhxAGH3lU

Dec 31, 2022 · 2 likes · 506 followers View post →
Titiat Scriptor
@titiatscriptor · X

Quelle: https://t.co/9ehvqcDIfA

Aug 20, 2021 · 1 like · 6,623 followers View post →
Steven Quartz PhD
@StevenQuartz · X

@davykevinp @hubermanlab @stevemagness in humans (behavioral) The Effort Paradox: Effort Is Both Costly and Valued Inzlicht, Michael et al.Trends in Cognitive Sciences, Volume 22, Issue 4, 337 - 349 and in animal models: https://t.co/kScbus77HA

Jun 13, 2025 · 1 like · 2,942 followers View post →

All mentions

Steven Quartz PhD
@StevenQuartz · X

@davykevinp @hubermanlab @stevemagness in humans (behavioral) The Effort Paradox: Effort Is Both Costly and Valued Inzlicht, Michael et al.Trends in Cognitive Sciences, Volume 22, Issue 4, 337 - 349 and in animal models: https://t.co/kScbus77HA

Jun 13, 2025 · 1 like · 2,942 followers View post →
Antonio Palomar
@GarcPalomar · X

RT @minzlicht: Effort paradox: We often associate effort with reward and will engage in tasks precisely because they require effort (e.g. u…

Mar 9, 2024 · 2 shares · 4,185 followers View post →
Koçer Karasu
@KoerKarasu91880 · X

RT @minzlicht: Effort paradox: We often associate effort with reward and will engage in tasks precisely because they require effort (e.g. u…

Mar 6, 2024 · 2 shares · 23 followers View post →
Michael Inzlicht
@minzlicht · X

Effort paradox: We often associate effort with reward and will engage in tasks precisely because they require effort (e.g. ultra-marathons) https://t.co/HzQYFRKbbh (@amitaishenhav & Christopher Olivola). How can effort be(come) valuable in and of itself? /2

Mar 4, 2024 · 8 likes · 2 shares · 8,719 followers View post →
Bright Udemezue
@BrightUdemezue · X

The Effort Paradox: Effort Is Both Costly and Valued https://t.co/l79D6wQEYX

Sep 23, 2023 · 916 followers View post →
Carla Cantarella
@CarlaCantare · X

@Lilicite2 @emmet_awesome Sinon, sur cette page il y a pas mal de références sur la notion d'effort, avec des études qui remettent en question l'idée selon laquelle les humains seraient "naturellement" anti-effort et chercheraient toujours à en faire le moins possible https://t.co/uOhxAGH3lU

Dec 31, 2022 · 2 likes · 506 followers View post →
Zoe Zoologist
@Zoe_Zoologist · X

The Effort Paradox: Effort Is Both Costly and Valued - ScienceDirect https://t.co/Cusj6wCXMz

Oct 2, 2022 · 38 followers View post →
Boris Cheval
@chevalboris · X

@erikbij consistent with this paper of @minzlicht https://t.co/Oe4wuuaxb1

May 6, 2022 · 2 likes · 1,424 followers View post →
Titiat Scriptor
@titiatscriptor · X

Quelle: https://t.co/9ehvqcDIfA

Aug 20, 2021 · 1 like · 6,623 followers View post →
Vatsap?
@amritvatsa · X

"A research paper titled ‘The Effort Paradox: Effort is both costly and valued' reveals that, contrary to the view that humans avoid tasks that involve effort, the opposite is also true. Effort can add value. 1/2

Jul 28, 2021 · 898 followers View post →
Amanda Rebar
@AmandaRebar · X

RT @chevalboris: Want to learn the #Ikea and #martyrdom effects and why #Effort is both costly and valued. Read this amazing work from @min…

Feb 22, 2019 · 5 shares · 1,513 followers View post →
Huang
@Grothendieck86 · X

RT @chevalboris: Want to learn the #Ikea and #martyrdom effects and why #Effort is both costly and valued. Read this amazing work from @min…

Feb 22, 2019 · 5 shares · 71 followers View post →
Mark Beauchamp
@MarkRBeauchamp · X

RT @chevalboris: Want to learn the #Ikea and #martyrdom effects and why #Effort is both costly and valued. Read this amazing work from @min…

Feb 22, 2019 · 5 shares · 1,531 followers View post →
Zachary Zenko
@ZackZenko · X

RT @chevalboris: Want to learn the #Ikea and #martyrdom effects and why #Effort is both costly and valued. Read this amazing work from @min…

Feb 22, 2019 · 5 shares · 1,318 followers View post →
Cassandra Lowe
@cassandra_lowe · X

RT @chevalboris: Want to learn the #Ikea and #martyrdom effects and why #Effort is both costly and valued. Read this amazing work from @min…

Feb 22, 2019 · 5 shares · 433 followers View post →
José María
@Jose_Maria_100 · X

¿Por qué Fortnite es tan popular? https://t.co/XPwqRqRDcY vía @YouTube

Feb 11, 2019 · 117 followers View post →
Edith
@edithvillgs · X

RT @habiaspensado: ¿Por qué @FortniteGame es tan popular? ¿Cuáles son las razones psicológicas? Estreno en 15 mins! (12 pm sábado 9 febrero…

Feb 9, 2019 · 1 share · 151 followers View post →
Canal Divulgación
@canal_divul · X

"¿Por qué Fortnite es tan popular?" por @habiaspensado: Cuáles son las razones psicológicas por las que Fortnite es tan popular? No te imaginas cuáles son... https://t.co/XeYFg2AsdZ ... https://t.co/z4uII44oOM

Feb 9, 2019 · 1 like · 646 followers View post →
Felix Javier
@habiaspensado · X

¿Por qué @FortniteGame es tan popular? ¿Cuáles son las razones psicológicas? Estreno en 15 mins! (12 pm sábado 9 febrero) https://t.co/p73sg13Zo0 vía @YouTube

Feb 9, 2019 · 4 likes · 1 share · 1,576 followers View post →