Peak-End Theory
If the remembering self is how we view the life we’ve lived, then peak-end theory is what forms our impressions of how we felt in those lived experiences.
Peak-end theory refers to how our memories are formed by the peaks and endings of our experiences. Whether we experience a high or a low, these moments have a significant impact on how we remember the entire event. This theory can be applied to many aspects of our lives, from relationships to vacations, and even medical procedures.
Take relationships. No matter how positive or sweet a relationship may have been, if it ends on a terrible note, that often remains our lasting impression. The same can be said for vacations or events — even if they were mostly great, a single negative experience at the end can color our entire memory of the event. This can be a rainy day, some stolen luggage, or an unfortunate accident.
Psychologist Daniel Kahneman is one of the main proponents of peak-end theory. He has developed specific methods for living his life that take advantage of this theory. For example, if he’s on a week-long trip and has an amazing time on day five, he may decide to cut his trip short and fly home early. This way, his memory of the trip will be focused on the high point, rather than any potential negative experiences that may occur later on.
Similarly, Kahneman may leave a party early, when he’s still having a great time. This way, his memory of the party will be focused on the peak, rather than the inevitable wind-down that comes at the end of any event. For a party, this may be the trickling out of people, the cleaning up process, or dealing with those who may have drunk a bit too much.
Now, I’ll be the first to admit that living life this way means you inevitably miss out on even greater peaks and highs you have no way of predicting. It’s just that in this system, it may be worth it for some to trade off unexpected highs for consistent high-quality memories of the life we’ve lived.
While these methods may seem anecdotal, research has shown that they can have a significant impact on our memories. For example, a study was conducted on colonoscopies, where patients were given a choice between a long, slow exam with minimal pain or a quick, rough exam that would be over more quickly. Although the patients who chose the shorter exam experienced less pain overall, they rated the longer exam as more comfortable, because the peak of discomfort was much shorter.
When it comes to medical procedures, it may be better to prioritize reducing the peaks of pain, rather than the overall discomfort experienced. By doing so, we may remember the experience more positively, even if we still experience some discomfort. This may even have the side effect of improving long-term health outcomes by removing the mental blocks we might have over various discomforts unique to exams.
The takeaway here is that peak-end theory suggests that our memories are formed by the peaks and endings of our experiences. We can leverage this to find ways to shape our experiences in order to create positive memories. Whether it’s introducing opportunities to generate those highs or loading up the end of an experience with known pleasurable joys, these small changes can have a big impact on how we remember our experiences.
