Rowley Associates

Recent research published in the magazine Science reports that washing ones hands after making a decision reduces cognitive dissonance or stress. The act of washing is said to ‘wipe the slate clean’ and make people feel better about the choices they may have ignored. The catch? There had to be one didn’t there. Whilst washing hands helps reduce the stress associated with making a decision, it also reduces the pleasure associated with the choice we made. What you may be asking, are the implications for business? Better have some hand sanitizer or wipes ready the next time you have a tough decision to make.