When endings approach, people choose the familiar over the novel. This is because they want to feel comfortable and avoid anything that may upset them during this trying time. The novel may offer new insights and perspectives, but people are more likely to shy away from it in favor of something that is known and comforting. This is why people often return to favorite books, movies, and TV shows during difficult times. They provide a sense of stability during a period of change.
The familiarity principle is the basic idea that people have a tendency to prefer things that are familiar to them. The principle has been applied to a variety of situations, including decisions about what to eat, what products to buy, and even whom to marry.
There is a lot of research that supports the idea that people generally prefer the familiar. For example, one study found that when people were presented with two different types of candy, they were more likely to choose the candy they were already familiar with.
The principle has also been used to explain why people sometimes choose to stay in unhappy relationships. Even though they may be unhappy, they often stay because the alternative – being single – is unfamiliar and scary.
The familiarity principle is a useful tool for understanding why people make the decisions they do. However, it’s important to remember that the principle is just one explanation for why people behave the way they do. There are other factors that can influence someone’s decision-making, such as the availability of alternatives and the importance of the decision.
