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Communication Quote by Daniel Kahneman

“was surprised to see that the pupil remained small and did not noticeably dilate as she talked and listened. Unlike the tasks that we were studying, the mundane conversation apparently demanded little or no effort—no more than retaining two or three digits.” quote by Daniel Kahneman
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““was surprised to see that the pupil remained small and did not noticeably dilate as she talked and listened. Unlike the tasks that we were studying, the mundane conversation apparently demanded little or no effort—no more than retaining two or three digits.””

Daniel Kahneman

About This Quote

Source Book: Thinking, Fast and Slow, 2011

The pupil's small pupils indicate low cognitive load during simple conversation, unlike demanding tasks that cause dilation.

In simple terms: Simple talk requires little mental effort.

Key Takeaway

Recognize when tasks are truly demanding.

Themes

cognition effort physiology

Mood

curious analytical

Type

scientific observational

When to use this quote

  • classroom observation
  • clinical assessment
  • research design

Key Concepts

attention cognitive load pupil response

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does mental effort manifest physically?
  • What other signs indicate cognitive load?
A Different Perspective

Pupil size can be influenced by many factors, not just effort.

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