The experiencing self lives through moments in real-time; the remembering self evaluates episodes based on memory and makes future decisions.
Parents report that time with children is stressful moment-to-moment (experiencing self) but evaluate it as deeply meaningful and satisfying (remembering self). The two evaluations can diverge significantly.
The experiencing and remembering self want the same things—they often have conflicting preferences, creating genuine dilemmas about which to optimize for.
Thinking, Fast and Slow
Daniel Kahneman
Memories of experiences are dominated by the most intense moment (peak) and the final moment (end), with duration largely ignored.
Memories of experiences are dominated by the most intense moment (peak) and the final moment (end), with duration largely ignored.
The remembering self largely ignores how long an experience lasted when evaluating it, focusing instead on peak intensity and ending.
The remembering self largely ignores how long an experience lasted when evaluating it, focusing instead on peak intensity and ending.