Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion · chapter 1 · id influence-c1-04-the-contrast-principle-causes-
“The contrast principle causes people to perceive things as more different than they actually are when presented sequentially -- demonstrated by the three-pails-of-water experiment where the same lukewarm water feels hot to one hand and cold to the other.”
holdsconfidence: high⚠ extracted by pipeline, re-audit pending
Receipts
Sherif, Taub & Hovland (1958), Assimilation and contrast effects of anchoring stimuli on judgments, Journal of Experimental Psychology 55(2)DOI registry: valid
When subjects first lifted a lighter weight, they overestimated the weight of heavier weights they were subsequently asked to lift, demonstrating anchoring and contrast effects on perceptual judgment.
Helson (1964), Adaptation-Level Theory, Harper & Row; reviewed in Psychological ReviewDOI registry: valid
Adaptation-level theory predicts that judgments of stimuli are relative to a prevailing adaptation level, which shifts with experience of prior stimuli.
This claim is a stable, citable object. If you can falsify a verdict, tell us — corrections are loud here.