Glossary / Lexicon

Law of simplicity

Law of simplicity --->Law of Pragnanz

The "law of simplicity" in psychology refers to the principle that people tend to prefer simple and straightforward explanations, concepts, and designs over complex ones. This law is also sometimes referred to as the "principle of parsimony" or "Occam's Razor," named after the 14th-century logician William of Ockham, who first articulated the idea that the simplest explanation is usually the correct one.

The law of simplicity is applied in many different fields, including psychology, where it is used to guide research, theories, and interventions. Here are some examples of how the law of simplicity is applied in psychology:

  1. Psychological assessment: When developing assessment measures, psychologists aim to create simple and straightforward questions that are easy for participants to understand and answer accurately.

  2. Behavioral interventions: In designing behavioral interventions, psychologists aim to create clear and concise instructions that are easy for participants to follow and remember.

  3. Cognitive theories: Many cognitive theories in psychology, such as the information processing model, are based on the principle that people have a limited capacity for processing information and tend to simplify complex information to make it more manageable.

  4. Perception and attention: The law of simplicity is also applied in the study of perception and attention, where researchers investigate how people process and interpret visual information. The law suggests that people tend to prefer simple and symmetrical patterns, such as those found in nature, and that complex or disorganized patterns are often perceived as less attractive or meaningful.

  5. Memory: In studying memory, psychologists often use simple and familiar stimuli, such as letters and numbers, to investigate how information is stored and retrieved in the brain.

Overall, the law of simplicity is a fundamental principle in psychology that helps researchers and practitioners develop more effective and efficient theories, interventions, and assessments.