Rare or valuable? Why We Want What We Can't Have

Why do we suddenly want something more when we’re told we might not be able to have it?

In this episode of Circuit Breaker: Rewiring Your Decisions, we explore the Scarcity Effect — the psychological tendency to place greater value on things that seem limited or difficult to obtain. From exclusive opportunities to products in short supply, we uncover how perceived scarcity can influence our desires and shape the decisions we make.

But does something become more valuable simply because it’s harder to get? Discover how scarcity can intensify our motivation, influence our judgments, and make us question whether we truly want something — or simply want what feels out of reach.

Studies and links

• How to Boost Desire Using the Psychology of Scarcity | Psychology Today https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/automatic-you/201307/how-boost-desire-using-the-psychology-scarcity
• Scarcity | The Decision Lab https://thedecisionlab.com/reference-guide/anthropology/scarcity