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MENTAL MODEL · M0519

Magician's Choice / Equivoque

Magician's Choice / Equivoque
CollaborateHigh supportCommunication
Included
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Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30

CORE DEFINITION

Gives the audience the illusion of free choice, but no matter what they choose, the outcome is predetermined by the magician.

SCAFFOLDING EFFECT

psychology

Reduce cognitive load

Guide the outcome. If you want your child to eat broccoli, don't ask 'What do you want to eat?' but 'Do you want broccoli or carrots?' Preserve the illusion of choice (Autonomy) while locking in the range of outcomes.

anchor

Anchor fast decisions

Magician's choice is a forcing technique in magic tricks: it appears to let the audience choose freely, but in reality, no matter which option they pick, the result leads to the performer's predetermined outcome. It utilizes the 'convergence' design of branching structures.

MINIMUM ACTION

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Source support: Explicit

  • link
    en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forcing_(magicZH · Explicit
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