Do people really learn from their mistakes?

Thursday, July 11, 2024.

The common belief in learning from mistakes is… a mistake.

There is a pervasive belief in the power of failure to teach valuable lessons.

Business leaders often promote this notion, which is echoed in popular media. It a robust meme in American culture.

The idea is that while failure is challenging, it ultimately fuels success.

However, recent research paints a different picture: people generally struggle to learn from their mistakes.

The Reality Behind the Myth

Despite the widespread belief, the truth is sobering. Studies indicate that even well-educated professionals, such as lawyers, teachers, and nurses, frequently fail to learn from their mistakes. Dr. Lauren Eskreis-Winkler, a leading researcher in this area, explains:

"People expect success to follow failure much more often than it actually does. People usually assume that past behavior predicts future behavior, so it’s surprising that we often believe the opposite when it comes to succeeding after failure."

The Expectation vs. Reality of Failure Leading to Success

In a series of 11 experiments involving nearly 2,000 participants, researchers discovered that folks tend to overestimate the likelihood of success following failure.

Participants were asked about various scenarios, such as failing an exam, overdosing on drugs, committing a crime, or suffering heart failure. They were then asked if they believed individuals in these situations would change their behavior.

Key Findings:

• Lawyers Failing a Professional Exam:

  • Actual Success Rate: 35%

  • Perceived Success Rate: 58%

• Substance Abusers Overdosing:

  • Actual Success Rate: 17%

  • Perceived Success Rate: 51%

• Heart Attack Victims Improving Health:

  • Actual Success Rate: 47%

  • Perceived Success Rate: 62%

The Misconception of Self-Correction After Failure

Dr. Eskreis-Winkler emphasizes the danger in assuming that people will automatically correct themselves after failure:

"People who believe that problems will self-correct after failure are less motivated to help those in need. Why would we invest time or money to help struggling populations if we erroneously believe that they will right themselves?"

Why People Struggle to Learn from Failure

• One major reason people do not learn from their failures is that it is emotionally challenging to confront them. Reflecting on mistakes can harm self-esteem, making it easier to learn from successes that boost our egos.

• Interestingly, while we struggle to learn from our own failures, we can learn from others' mistakes, as they do not threaten our self-esteem.

The Role of Emotional Pain in Learning

Research suggests that feeling the emotional pain of failure can be beneficial. Dr. Selin Malkoc, co-author of a related study, states:

"All the advice tells you not to dwell on your mistakes, to not feel bad. But we found the opposite. When faced with a failure, it is better to focus on one’s emotions—when people concentrate on how bad they feel and how they don’t want to experience these feelings again, they are more likely to try harder the next time."

The Silver Lining

While it may be painful, focusing on the emotional response to failure can motivate individuals to work harder and avoid repeating the same mistakes. Dr. Malkoc admits:

"Emotional responses to failure can hurt. They make you feel bad. That’s why people often choose to think self-protective thoughts after they make mistakes. But if you focus on how bad you feel, you’re going to work harder to find a solution and make sure you don’t make the same mistake again."

Final thoughts

The belief that failure naturally leads to success is a comforting but flawed notion.

To truly learn from mistakes, one must confront the emotional pain associated with them.

By doing so, individuals are more likely to make meaningful changes and avoid repeating their errors.

By understanding the complex relationship between failure and success, we can better support those in need and foster a culture of genuine growth and improvement.

Be Well, Stay Kind, and Godspeed.

RESEARCH:

Eskreis-Winkler, L., Woolley, K., Erensoy, E., & Kim, M. (2024). The exaggerated benefits of failure. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1037/xge0001610