How do I feel about it? — interactive illustration

Where did that come from?

Two people get a phone survey. The interviewer asks each of them the same question:

"Overall, how satisfied are you with your life these days, from 0 to 10?"

MaraReached after a lovely morning: she found a $20 note on the pavement, hit every green light, and her favourite song came on.

TomReached after a rotten one: he overslept, missed his train, and spilled coffee down his shirt.

Who do you think rated their whole life higher?

life satisfaction, 0–10

Mara

Tom

First, ask them: "how's your morning been?"

Illustrative of the pattern in Schwarz & Clore (1983), who interviewed people on sunny vs rainy days; a single question about the weather, asked first, erased the effect.