Even though she knows that most people take much longer than they anticipate in finishing their dissertations (sometimes even years longer), Tyra is certain that she will be able to conduct her dissertation research, write up her dissertation, and defend it to her dissertation committee, all within nine months. She is sure that if she works hard she will be able to successfully finish on schedule. Tyra appears to be ____.
A) subject to the planning fallacy
B) showing evidence of the Zeigarnik effect
C) subject to the omission bias
D) an entity theorist

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Tyra is subject to the planning fallacy, which is the tendency to underestimate the amount of time, resources, and efforts required to complete a task, especially a big and complex one like a dissertation. This bias is driven by an overly optimistic view of the future and a neglect of potential obstacles and setbacks. The planning fallacy can lead to poor planning, stress, procrastination, and disappointment when the reality does not match the expectations.

Even Though She Knows That Most People Take Much Longer