Unintended Consequences
- Joe Prince K
- May 24, 2020
- 3 min read
Updated: May 29, 2020
In the social sciences, unintended consequences (sometimes unanticipated consequences or unforeseen consequences) are outcomes of a purposeful action that are not intended or foreseen. The term was popularised in the twentieth century by American sociologist Robert K. Merton. Unintended consequences can be grouped into three types and we are not going in-depth for now.
When we try to make a single change within a complex system, we often end up causing unintended consequences. These can be positive or negative. If we don’t anticipate unintended consequences, we can’t expect to achieve our desired outcomes.
Definition
The law of unintended consequences has long existed dating back to at least Adam Smith but was popularized in the twentieth century by sociologist Robert K. Merton. In his theory, Merton stated that often unanticipated consequences or unforeseen consequences are outcomes that are not the outcomes intended by a purposeful action. In some cases, the law of unintended consequences could create a perverse effect contrary to what was originally intended and ultimately making the problem worse.
The Law Of Unintended Consequences & Psychology
Causes, reasons, and motivations
Nothing has just one cause. Causes fan out backward indefinitely in time.
You can’t know everything about what motivates others. Don’t say with confidence, “I know why you did it.”
You don’t even really know everything about what motivates yourself. Don’t even say with confidence, “I know why I did it.”
That you can come up with a justification for a belief or action is of negligible difference to whether it's justified. We can always come up with justifications for a belief or action. When we pray “God grant me one reason why I’m right,” God always provides.
Reasons and causes are never singular. Don’t seek the cause, reason or motive. Seek the causes, reasons or motives.
When we talk about causes, reasons, and motivations the words “just” and “only” signal ignorance of the potential for unintended consequences. When we say “I only wanted to help,” or “you’re just trying to hurt me,” the terms mean “ignore all other possibilities.” We shouldn’t ignore all other possibilities.
Consequences
Nothing has just one consequence. Consequences fan out in all directions over time. Life is like playing piano with oven mitts on. You go to hit one key and others get hit in the process.
Over when the fat lady sings? The fat lady never sings or, if she does you’re not going to hear it. You won’t know when consequences are all played out.
What you interpret to be insignificant may prove significant. Small differences can make big differences.
What you interpret to be significant may prove insignificant. Big differences can make small differences.
Unanticipated?
Does the declining use of “unanticipated consequences” reflect a change in the real world? Or has it simply been replaced by “unintended consequences” as a synonym? A change in the real world would imply that our ability to anticipate the effects of purposive social action has improved over time. To some extent this is true. Policy makers now have more facts and theories at their disposal while the unintended consequences of policy are a widely recognized problem.
From Author’s Mind
Fix your minds with this study of new theory which I came across today and in upcoming days we can travel in unintended consequences which has happened and happening in due course of the Journey in Impression of Senses😇
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