Duration neglect
When we judge how good or bad an experience was, we give little weight to how long it lasted. It is closely linked to the peak-end rule.
In everyday life
You remember a two-week trip and a one-week trip as equally fun, because both had similar highlights.
You tell a friend that a four-hour hike and a one-hour hike were about equally enjoyable, even though you spent four times as long having fun on the longer one.
Why your mind does this
We cannot hold every moment of an experience or every item in a list in mind. The brain keeps a few standout pieces, such as the most intense moment, the ending, or the first and last items, and lets them stand for the whole. This makes memories compact and quick to use.
Its family, in 30 seconds: Key elements
How to spot it
Notice when you compare two experiences without accounting for how long each one lasted.
How to counter it
When comparing options, weigh rough intensity by time, such as hours of discomfort or days of enjoyment, instead of relying on your overall impression.