- Study finds optimism may curb action
Τwo Democratic fundraising emails were sent to supporters.
- HARVARDgazette
- Kennedy School Communications
In one version, the candidate was leading a closely contested race; in the other, he was trailing. Which email got more clicks and coaxed more donations?
Perhaps counterintuitively, the losing candidate’s message sparked the most action.
The experiment was part of a study that explored how optimism can lead to inaction.
Behavioral scientist Todd Rogers of the Harvard Kennedy School and colleagues conducted six related studies that explored “belief in a favorable future” across various contexts and…