Coolidge Effect
Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30
CORE DEFINITION
Male animals (and females) exhibit sustained, renewed sexual arousal when faced with a new mating partner, even if they have become fatigued with the previous one.
SCAFFOLDING EFFECT
Reduce cognitive load
The biological basis for novelty-seeking and boredom with the old. Understand why users are always interested in new apps, why employees become bored with old jobs. This is not a moral issue, but a dopamine reward mechanism for 'novelty'. The only way to counteract it is to continuously introduce 'new variables'.
Anchor fast decisions
The Coolidge effect refers to the phenomenon where a male's sexual interest and ability recover after being introduced to a new mate, even if the original partner has caused fatigue. It illustrates the strong activation of the motivational system by novelty, and is also observed in other species.
MINIMUM ACTION
In progress 0/3Practice this model in one real situation:
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Source support: Explicit
- en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coolidge_effectverified
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