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HINDSIGHT BIAS CAN DERAIL HOW WE THINK OUR PARTNERS FEEL鈥擲TUDY

Reading a partner鈥檚 facial expressions may seem straightforward, but a new study finds we may be overestimating our ability to remember negative facial expressions, and hindsight bias 鈥攖he ability to convince ourselves when looking back that we knew something all along鈥攎ay be to blame. In a study  and led by 51社区黑料psychology PhD student Megan Giroux, participants were tested on their ability to recognize facial expressions they had previously identified in a baseline phase where the photos were slowly brought into focus from blurry to clear. 

While they accurately recalled the point at which they identified happiness in hindsight, they were more likely to exhibit hindsight bias with negative expressions such as disgust, anger, fear and surprise. 鈥淗indsight bias can lead us to think we accurately understood another person鈥檚 emotional state when we did not,鈥� says Giroux, noting that overcoming hindsight bias may help to develop the ability to read emotions and respond appropriately to people鈥檚 feelings in our social interactions and relationships.   

MEGAN GIROUX|  megan_giroux@sfu.ca

SEEING PARTNER THROUGH ROSE-COLOURED GLASSES NOT A LASTING FIX FOR INSECURITY

Exaggerating a partner鈥檚 understanding and empathy鈥攚ith so-called positive illusions鈥攎ay help build a long happy relationship. However, positive illusions may only be a short-term fix for couples with attachment insecurity, and in some cases may be detrimental in the long term, according to researchers with SFU鈥檚 Close Relationships Research Lab. involving nearly 200 newlywed couples published last fall, psychology PhD student Richard Rigby and professor Rebecca Cobb investigated whether spouses鈥� positive illusions moderated the association between attachment insecurity and short-term marital satisfaction. They can elaborate on how positive illusions can impact relationship health. 

REBECCA COBB, clinical psychologist, director, 51社区黑料Close Relationships Research Lab | rcobb@sfu.ca

RICHARD RIGBY, doctoral student, clinical psychology, 51社区黑料Close Relationships Research Lab | richard_rigby@sfu.ca

ADDITIONAL EXPERTS WHO CAN WEIGH IN ON RELATIONSHIPS: 

LARA AKNIN, psychology, laknin@sfu.ca
- Prosocial behaviour (including Valentine鈥檚 Day gift-giving), well-being, happiness and social relationships 

YUTHIKA GIRME, psychology, ygirme@sfu.ca 
How to build and maintain healthy relationships; well-being in singlehood (see her )

CONTACT 

MELISSA SHAW, SFU  Communications & Marketing 
236.880.3297 | melissa_shaw@sfu.ca

51社区黑料
 |  
778.782.3210

ABOUT SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY

As Canada鈥檚 engaged university, 51社区黑料works with communities, organizations and partners to create, share and embrace knowledge that improves life and generates real change. We deliver a world-class education with lifelong value that shapes change-makers, visionaries and problem-solvers. We connect research and innovation to entrepreneurship and industry to deliver sustainable, relevant solutions to today鈥檚 problems. With campuses in British Columbia鈥檚 three largest cities鈥擵ancouver, Burnaby and Surrey鈥�51社区黑料has eight faculties that deliver 193 undergraduate degree programs and 144 graduate degree programs to more than 37,000 students. The university now boasts more than 170,000 alumni residing in 145+ countries.