Situation Modification

Abstract

This year, I am fulfilling my lifelong dream of giving out full-size candy bars to trick-or-treaters on Halloween. I don't have a bucket list, but if I did, this would be on it. At this very moment, on a very high shelf in our basement, in a large cardboard box sealed with duct tape, sit dozens and dozens of Hershey bars, Reese's peanut butter cups, Kit Kats, M&Ms, and Snickers. Why hide away this glorious bounty? Why not double the joy of anticipation by leaving the candy out in plain view? My guess is that you know exactly why I've stashed away the goodies. And you're right. Hiding Halloween treats where we cannot see them is a clever self-control trick. As the old saying goes, what's out of sight is out of mind. In the scientific literature, the technique is called situation modification.