People tend to instinctively think of adding to a situation or problem instead of considering what can be subtracted. Research shows that this additive mindset often leads individuals to choose solutions that may be unnecessarily complex or incorrect. Studies involving tasks such as making grid patterns symmetrical reveal that more than half of participants overlook simpler, subtractive solutions in favor of adding components. This pattern of thinking reflects a broader trend in society, where the core act of improving situations commonly leans toward addition rather than subtraction, resulting in missed opportunities for more efficient, effective solutions.

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