Why do we like someone more after doing them a favor?
Benjamin Franklin effect
, explained.What is the Benjamin Franklin effect?
The Benjamin Franklin effect describes how doing a favor for someone can actually make us feel more positively towards that person. The phenomenon is named after Benjamin Franklin, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States of America, who wrote about the concept in his autobiography.
Where this bias occurs
Imagine you have a co-worker, Alice, whom you don’t particularly like. You’ve had some disagreements in the past and you generally don’t have a good impression of her. One day, Alice asks for your help with a project she’s working on and you agree to assist her, even though you’re not thrilled about it.
As you work together on the project, you find that Alice is appreciative of your assistance and is friendly and grateful. You see her dedication and hard work and you start to understand her perspective and skills better. As you continue to collaborate, you gradually start to develop a more positive opinion of Alice.
Over time, you realize that you actually enjoy working with her and that your initial negative feelings have turned into a more favorable impression. This shift in your attitude towards Alice is an example of the Benjamin Franklin effect. By doing Alice a favor and working together on the project, you’ve come to like her more, despite your initial reservations.
