The MUM effect: what it is and how it affects relationships

Unconsciously, we tend to minimize and manipulate bad news when giving it to those affected.

People do not act the same in solitary as when we are in a group. Nor do we do the same when we are with another person.

In other words, the presence (real, imagined or implied) of others influences how we think, feel and behave. Social psychology studies and understands these relationships and influences.

Within it, there are numerous phenomena that appear in the interrelation of people and in the perception we have of them. Today we will talk about one of them: the MUM effect.. We all like to give good news, but what about bad news, and does the same happen with them? We will see it next.

What does the MUM effect consist of?

When to communicate bad newsWe often resist or distort them, or even make them less negative. This happens even if we have nothing to do with the news.

The reason lies in the fact that we do not want to be associated with the negative event, and as a consequence, to be considered less attractive.

The MUM effect occurs in the face of a wide variety of news, circumstances and possible recipients. Even so, although it is a very frequent and validated effect, it is not a universal phenomenon. Let's think, for example, of television news; we have the feeling that they "always" transmit bad news; or for example, myths, rumors, etc.

It seems then that the MUM effect is associated with situations in which news affects the situations in which the news affects one's own well-being or the well-being of the potential receiver..

Why does it appear? Its causes

The MUM effect is related in social psychology to reinforcement theories. The theories of reinforcement (Lott and Lott, Byrne) speak of attraction to people who are present or who do something that triggers an affection, whether positive or negative..

On the other hand, people, whether consciously or unconsciously, seek to be liked by others, to feel accepted, etc. This is a natural and human phenomenon, which occurs to preserve and enhance self-esteem.

In general, we can speak of several concerns that hinder or prevent us from communicating bad news:

• Concern for our own well-being, wanting to avoid a feeling of guilt.
• Concern for the well-being of the recipient (out of empathy) when receiving bad news.
• Using situational norms such as "do the right thing" as a guide.
• Fear of being associated with the bad news and consequently, being made less attractive..

These four explanations have been evidenced by scientific experimentation to explain the causes of the MUM effect. In this way, and in relation to the first point, the concern for one's own well-being, we are talking about a fear of having a feeling of guilt for communicating something negative to someone.

We can relate this to the "belief in a just world", i.e., believing that there are no injustices and that we all have what we deserve. that we all get what we deserve (both good and bad). (both good and bad). This would be a cognitive bias in the vision of reality, which many people manifest.

Thus, communicating something that is not only bad but also unfair would conflict with our beliefs about the world, and could also generate these feelings of guilt or even sadness. And, of course, people tend to avoid feeling upset or sad.

Worries about giving bad news

Delving a little deeper into these concerns, it is known that we don't want the recipient to feel sad either. we also do not want the recipient to feel sad "because of us".even if it is an irrational thought and we have nothing to do with the news. We are the mere transmitter, but nevertheless, when people are asked why they should or should not communicate good or bad news, they tend to focus their attention on the receiver.

The MUM effect also occurs when we make a common mistake: assuming that the receiver will not want to hear the bad news.

Take doctors, for example; surveys have shown that many doctors believe that patients do not want to hear bad news. However, the latter claim to want to hear it.

It is known that the better a message is, the more willing we will be to pass it on.. But it does not happen in the same way when the message is negative, since once it is bad; it does not matter if it is bad to a greater or lesser extent, since the willingness to communicate it will always be low.

Social rules and receiver in the MUM effect

There are often no clear rules about what to do with bad news, whether to communicate it or not. It seems that when the news is good, the rules are clearer than when it is bad.

In addition, many times, when telling bad news, consequences are produced in the receiver (sadness, anger, anger...) that we will not always know how to manage. This can cause fear, in addition to the concern of not wanting to appear to be a busybody or meddler.. To avoid these feelings, we hide bad news.

The MUM effect is reduced when senders know for sure that the recipient of the news (whether good or bad) wants to hear it. Thus, the fear or worry of giving bad news dissipates, and we end up expressing it without distorting it.

Bibliographical references:

• Tesser, A., & Rosen, S. (1975). The reluctance to transmit bad news. In L. Berkowitz (Ed.). Advances in experimental social psychology, Vol. 8, pp. 194-232. New York: Academic Press.
• Hogg, M.A. (2010). Social psychology. VAUGHAN GRAHAM M. PANAMERICANA. Publisher: PANAMERICANA