Peak-End Memory Bias in Dentoalveolar Surgery

The peak-end bias is an established and well-described cognitive phenomenon in memory recall. On retrospective evaluation of an emotional episode, individuals tend to experience a temporal neglect, basing their assessment on the moment of maximum intensity (peak) and the moment of conclusion (end), without regard for duration.1 Following its experimental validation, knowledge of this bias has been applied in many domains to influence perceptions. In the domain of medicine, studies have indeed shown pain recall following colonoscopy and lithotripsy to conform to the peak-end bias, with the end component even being successfully manipulated by a prolonged concluding interval during which the colonoscope remained statically inserted.

Source: Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery - May 28, 2020 Category: ENT & OMF Authors: Steven Daws Source Type: research