PLoS One March 2020 PMID 31412059

Catalyzing decisions: How a coin flip strengthens affective reactions.

Mariela E Jaffé, Leonie Reutner, Rainer Greifeneder

Mentions

53
Peak: 16 in Aug 2019
across 4 sources since Aug 2019

Extended reach

474,810
potential audience

Total likes

158

Video views

243

Mentions per month

Aug 2019 – Dec 2025

Where it's discussed

  • X / Twitter47 posts
  • Facebook3 posts
  • YouTube2 videos
  • LinkedIn1 posts

AI synopsis

What people are saying

Overall, the collective discussions highlight curiosity and support, with users referencing research and suggesting applications like helping indecisive individuals or boosting confidence. The tone varies from casual admiration ('Fascinating!!!') to recommendations for practical use, reflecting both interest and recognition of its potential impact.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions recognize the validity of how coin flips can influence emotional reactions and decision confidence, suggesting general support for the article's findings.

InterestHigh interest

Posts express high curiosity, with many finding the concept fascinating and worth trying, indicating significant interest in the topic.

EngagementHigh engagement

Multiple comments delve into research details or suggest personal experiments, showing deep engagement with the ideas and implications.

ImpactModerate impact

The discussions imply that understanding this process could genuinely alter decision strategies or psychological understanding, though consensus on broad societal impact is moderate.

Abstract in brief

  • When people are unsure between options, they might flip a coin or use random aids, which influence their feelings about the options rather than directly guiding their choice.
  • The act of focusing on one option, facilitated by these aids, amplifies vivid mental images and emotional responses, making individuals feel stronger about what they want or dislike.
  • The studies show that using such decision catalysts intensifies feelings of certainty and satisfaction, suggesting these aids don't just help decide but actually enhance emotional reactions related to the decision-making process.]

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Rolf Degen
@DegenRolf · X

Chance catalysis: Flipping a coin to help making a difficult decision boosts people's confidence in their choice - even if they decide against the coin's advice. https://t.co/2Sox4G5voD https://t.co/qZGUJLe5YD

Aug 15, 2019 · 64 likes · 22 shares · 69,586 followers View post →
Ethan Mollick
@emollick · X

You know that old trick of flipping a coin to make a decision you are unclear about - only to realize what you really want when the coin is spinning in the air? This paper shows that it works. Coin flips catalyze good decision-making by revealing feelings. https://t.co/ZRn0z7BZM4 https://t.co/givss1rCeD

Apr 26, 2021 · 53 likes · 17 shares · 298,225 followers View post →
Lisa Xu
@decisioncat · X

I study behavioral science and here's one surprising tip to help indecisive people (like myself!) make decisions. Catalyzing decisions: How a coin flip strengthens affective reactions (Jaffé, Reutner, Greifeneder, 2019) #ship30for30 #psychology #decisionscience https://t.co/iZEyv0x6Hy

Apr 27, 2022 · 19 likes · 2 shares · 103 followers View post →
Cardinal
@joincardinal_ · X

El artículo de los suizos: https://t.co/Qbgy5xa7lC https://t.co/r1wq3R1WfK

Oct 10, 2020 · 3 likes · 1 share · 4,923 followers View post →
Koenfucius
@koenfucius · X

You may recall @StevenDLevitt’s famous large scale coin flip experiment (https://t.co/04SmYH33Uc). New research suggests that one reasons coin flips can be a catalyst to decision-making is that they activate a *feeling*—like/dislike—about its suggestion: https://t.co/IZGk8RRgaS https://t.co/7xQaH39p8g

May 1, 2021 · 2 likes · 1 share · 8,607 followers View post →
Qikiciting
@qikiciting · X

On the subject of using a coin to make decisions, https://t.co/7IdZCnZeF2 found that looking at the results for flipping a coin often made people feel pleased or disappointed with a result, even if they hadn't previously felt strongly one way or the other.

Mar 28, 2021 · 2 likes · 337 followers View post →

All mentions

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Austin is (at)MengerSponge(at)vis.social
@mengersponge · X

@FirstGenPhys I've never needed it, but it can help, apparently: https://t.co/5SXVaYZvXa

Apr 11, 2023 · 1 like · 134 followers View post →
Vorpal
@mikedillinger · X

@natbrunell Flip a coin, call it in the air. The side of the coin you instantly hope is revealed is your gut instinct. All of this happens before the coin hits your hand. https://t.co/DxVYWpyiqI

Nov 29, 2022 · 1,257 followers View post →
ਗੁਰਕਰਨ ਸਿੰਘ ਸਮਰਾ
@doc_ancora · X

Catalyzing decisions: How a coin flip strengthens affective reactions https://t.co/IstkNdPiGt Fascinating!!! Must try this... (GIF reference: Sholay (1975) If you know, you know

Nov 9, 2022 · 462 followers View post →
Ship 30 for 30
@Ship30for30_Bot · X

RT @decisioncat: I study behavioral science and here's one surprising tip to help indecisive people (like myself!) make decisions. Cataly…

Apr 27, 2022 · 2 shares · 1,365 followers View post →
Leo Zaffre
@leozaffre · X

RT @decisioncat: I study behavioral science and here's one surprising tip to help indecisive people (like myself!) make decisions. Cataly…

Apr 27, 2022 · 2 shares · 661 followers View post →
Lisa Xu
@decisioncat · X

I study behavioral science and here's one surprising tip to help indecisive people (like myself!) make decisions. Catalyzing decisions: How a coin flip strengthens affective reactions (Jaffé, Reutner, Greifeneder, 2019) #ship30for30 #psychology #decisionscience https://t.co/iZEyv0x6Hy

Apr 27, 2022 · 19 likes · 2 shares · 103 followers View post →
Ivan Snejkov
@ivan_snejkov · X

@e1n You are been used as a coin flip. When you cannot decide, you toss a coin. Once you have a certain outcome, you decide based on how much you regret that outcome. Next time somebody asks you to choose, toss a coin for them. Maybe they'll get the idea. https://t.co/gzNzpzsTF5

Jan 23, 2022 · 26 followers View post →
♪
@librxrian · X

RT @DegenRolf: Chance catalysis: Flipping a coin to help making a difficult decision boosts people's confidence in their choice - even if t…

May 17, 2021 · 22 shares · 30,711 followers View post →
Roeland Dietvorst
@NeuroRoeland · X

RT @koenfucius: You may recall @StevenDLevitt’s famous large scale coin flip experiment (https://t.co/04SmYH33Uc). New research suggests th…

May 1, 2021 · 1 share · 991 followers View post →
Koenfucius
@koenfucius · X

You may recall @StevenDLevitt’s famous large scale coin flip experiment (https://t.co/04SmYH33Uc). New research suggests that one reasons coin flips can be a catalyst to decision-making is that they activate a *feeling*—like/dislike—about its suggestion: https://t.co/IZGk8RRgaS https://t.co/7xQaH39p8g

May 1, 2021 · 2 likes · 1 share · 8,607 followers View post →
Ms Loughnane
@CGL3 · X

RT @emollick: You know that old trick of flipping a coin to make a decision you are unclear about - only to realize what you really want wh…

Apr 28, 2021 · 17 shares · 572 followers View post →
Name cannot be blank
@suppresseddt · X

RT @emollick: You know that old trick of flipping a coin to make a decision you are unclear about - only to realize what you really want wh…

Apr 28, 2021 · 17 shares · 370 followers View post →
TôuTzuSays
@TouTzuSays · X

RT @emollick: You know that old trick of flipping a coin to make a decision you are unclear about - only to realize what you really want wh…

Apr 28, 2021 · 17 shares · 383 followers View post →
Ingrid Turk•
@Knittingrid · X

RT @emollick: You know that old trick of flipping a coin to make a decision you are unclear about - only to realize what you really want wh…

Apr 27, 2021 · 17 shares · 787 followers View post →
Renaud Guérin
@RenaudGuerin · X

RT @emollick: You know that old trick of flipping a coin to make a decision you are unclear about - only to realize what you really want wh…

Apr 27, 2021 · 17 shares · 1,915 followers View post →
Eric Barker
@bakadesuyo · X

RT @emollick: You know that old trick of flipping a coin to make a decision you are unclear about - only to realize what you really want wh…

Apr 27, 2021 · 17 shares · 27,921 followers View post →
Josh Watson, Ph.D.
@joshuatodPRprof · X

RT @emollick: You know that old trick of flipping a coin to make a decision you are unclear about - only to realize what you really want wh…

Apr 27, 2021 · 17 shares · 1,597 followers View post →
Marco Lombardini
@lombomarco · X

RT @emollick: You know that old trick of flipping a coin to make a decision you are unclear about - only to realize what you really want wh…

Apr 27, 2021 · 17 shares · 194 followers View post →
Sangeeta Motiani
@sangmotiani · X

RT @emollick: You know that old trick of flipping a coin to make a decision you are unclear about - only to realize what you really want wh…

Apr 27, 2021 · 17 shares · 283 followers View post →
KalEl
@KalElSkywalker · X

RT @emollick: You know that old trick of flipping a coin to make a decision you are unclear about - only to realize what you really want wh…

Apr 26, 2021 · 17 shares · 288 followers View post →
Ka
@Ka77706517 · X

RT @emollick: You know that old trick of flipping a coin to make a decision you are unclear about - only to realize what you really want wh…

Apr 26, 2021 · 17 shares · 1 followers View post →
Solicitor
@USASolicitor · X

RT @emollick: You know that old trick of flipping a coin to make a decision you are unclear about - only to realize what you really want wh…

Apr 26, 2021 · 17 shares · 974 followers View post →
Dr. Jessica Hammer
@kleenestar · X

RT @emollick: You know that old trick of flipping a coin to make a decision you are unclear about - only to realize what you really want wh…

Apr 26, 2021 · 17 shares · 1,451 followers View post →
Ethan Mollick
@emollick · X

You know that old trick of flipping a coin to make a decision you are unclear about - only to realize what you really want when the coin is spinning in the air? This paper shows that it works. Coin flips catalyze good decision-making by revealing feelings. https://t.co/ZRn0z7BZM4 https://t.co/givss1rCeD

Apr 26, 2021 · 53 likes · 17 shares · 298,225 followers View post →
Cody
@codybaldwin · X

@JeremyRubin @brian_trollz @LukeDashjr True, the best part of a coinflip is that you don't have to abide by it: https://t.co/hdcZ1vui6J Anyway, it's all a distraction from the fact that Bitcoin doesn't need to rely on miners to error correct.

Apr 6, 2021 · 832 followers View post →
Qikiciting
@qikiciting · X

On the subject of using a coin to make decisions, https://t.co/7IdZCnZeF2 found that looking at the results for flipping a coin often made people feel pleased or disappointed with a result, even if they hadn't previously felt strongly one way or the other.

Mar 28, 2021 · 2 likes · 337 followers View post →
Baisernuss
@Baisernuss · X

RT @joincardinal_: El artículo de los suizos: https://t.co/Qbgy5xa7lC https://t.co/r1wq3R1WfK

Oct 10, 2020 · 1 share · 167 followers View post →
Cardinal
@joincardinal_ · X

El artículo de los suizos: https://t.co/Qbgy5xa7lC https://t.co/r1wq3R1WfK

Oct 10, 2020 · 3 likes · 1 share · 4,923 followers View post →
Jeremy Gretton
@JeremyGretton · X

@Karminker @briandvickers There's actually been some recent research on this phenomenon! 1) https://t.co/k97717Rz0g 2) The loss aversion possibility is interesting, but in some data sets, "25% were satisfied, 25% were relieved, 21% were disappointed..." (Jaffe et al, 2020, p. 569) https://t.co/bqNF5FjvCK

Aug 13, 2020 · 1 like · 1,081 followers View post →
Hypnosis Papers
@HypnosisPapers · X

Catalyzing decisions: How a coin flip strengthens affective reactions. https://t.co/PfcgSvA2cG #hypnosis #research

Mar 10, 2020 · 456 followers View post →
Nacho Oliveras
@NachoOliveras · X

@groovydao No sé si has visto alguno de estos estudios de gente resolviendo dilemas a cara y cruz, que quedan más satisfechos resolviendo la cuestión así que por sí mismos. Supongo que tu hexagrama puede ayudar de manera parecida (y si de camino te da pasta, ¡bravo!) https://t.co/noXDOwzUS3

Dec 21, 2019 · 4,132 followers View post →
John Wilkins
@JohnWilkinspsyc · X

RT @DegenRolf: Chance catalysis: Flipping a coin to help making a difficult decision boosts people's confidence in their choice - even if t…

Aug 15, 2019 · 22 shares · 1,635 followers View post →
Mauricio Silva
@El_Soneto · X

RT @DegenRolf: Chance catalysis: Flipping a coin to help making a difficult decision boosts people's confidence in their choice - even if t…

Aug 15, 2019 · 22 shares · 21 followers View post →
aidanechols
@harridanechoes · X

RT @DegenRolf: Chance catalysis: Flipping a coin to help making a difficult decision boosts people's confidence in their choice - even if t…

Aug 15, 2019 · 22 shares · 106 followers View post →
Your Chum
@chumunculus · X

RT @DegenRolf: Chance catalysis: Flipping a coin to help making a difficult decision boosts people's confidence in their choice - even if t…

Aug 15, 2019 · 22 shares · 419 followers View post →
Huang
@Grothendieck86 · X

RT @DegenRolf: Chance catalysis: Flipping a coin to help making a difficult decision boosts people's confidence in their choice - even if t…

Aug 15, 2019 · 22 shares · 68 followers View post →
James N. Kirby
@JamesNKirby · X

RT @DegenRolf: Chance catalysis: Flipping a coin to help making a difficult decision boosts people's confidence in their choice - even if t…

Aug 15, 2019 · 22 shares · 4,543 followers View post →
I don't know much
@paquibena · X

RT @DegenRolf: Chance catalysis: Flipping a coin to help making a difficult decision boosts people's confidence in their choice - even if t…

Aug 15, 2019 · 22 shares · 262 followers View post →
Roeland Dietvorst
@NeuroRoeland · X

RT @DegenRolf: Chance catalysis: Flipping a coin to help making a difficult decision boosts people's confidence in their choice - even if t…

Aug 15, 2019 · 22 shares · 991 followers View post →
knowruin
@knowruin · X

RT @DegenRolf: Chance catalysis: Flipping a coin to help making a difficult decision boosts people's confidence in their choice - even if t…

Aug 15, 2019 · 22 shares · 448 followers View post →
Oldham-Made
@OldhamMade · X

RT @DegenRolf: Chance catalysis: Flipping a coin to help making a difficult decision boosts people's confidence in their choice - even if t…

Aug 15, 2019 · 22 shares · 212 followers View post →
drironbrain
@drironbrain · X

RT @DegenRolf: Chance catalysis: Flipping a coin to help making a difficult decision boosts people's confidence in their choice - even if t…

Aug 15, 2019 · 22 shares · 275 followers View post →
Carlos
@lonar2 · X

RT @DegenRolf: Chance catalysis: Flipping a coin to help making a difficult decision boosts people's confidence in their choice - even if t…

Aug 15, 2019 · 22 shares · 1,814 followers View post →
mosaic_bird
@justabuzzard · X

RT @DegenRolf: Chance catalysis: Flipping a coin to help making a difficult decision boosts people's confidence in their choice - even if t…

Aug 15, 2019 · 22 shares · 197 followers View post →
Fun and Games
@wwells668 · X

RT @DegenRolf: Chance catalysis: Flipping a coin to help making a difficult decision boosts people's confidence in their choice - even if t…

Aug 15, 2019 · 22 shares · 1,327 followers View post →
Mike
@z6Laz · X

RT @DegenRolf: Chance catalysis: Flipping a coin to help making a difficult decision boosts people's confidence in their choice - even if t…

Aug 15, 2019 · 22 shares · 173 followers View post →
Rolf Degen
@DegenRolf · X

Chance catalysis: Flipping a coin to help making a difficult decision boosts people's confidence in their choice - even if they decide against the coin's advice. https://t.co/2Sox4G5voD https://t.co/qZGUJLe5YD

Aug 15, 2019 · 64 likes · 22 shares · 69,586 followers View post →
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