In this post, we’ll unpack all you need to know about The Law Of Familiarity, defining exactly what it is, how it impact us, how it impacts us, the evolutionary perspective, the science and more.
What Is The Law Of Familiarity?
The Law Of Familiarity (LOF) states that the more familiar we become with something, the more we adapt and tend to take it for granted.
More technically, the law refers to the idea that repeated exposure to a stimulus reduces its emotional impact.
How It Impacts Us
The Law Of Familiarity has a profound affect on our experiences.
The Law Of Familiarity is why the pleasure of perceived positive experiences and the pain of perceived negative experiences both tend to fade over time as we revert back to our baseline level of happiness.
As we adapt and become accustomed to the same stimulus, the initial pleasure or pain diminishes.
Understanding The Law Of Familiarity is vital in cultivating a life of lasting happiness and fulfilment instead of a life of misery and suffering.
The Evolutionary Perspective
From an evolutionary perspective, the Law Of Familiarity evolved as an adaptation.
By reducing emotional responses to old familiar stimuli, it ensured we remained alert to new unfamiliar stimuli, such as threats and opportunities, in our environment.
In other words, the brain adapts to old stimulus so that it can focus on new stimulus.
The Science
The Law Of Familiarity occurs because our brain becomes more efficient at processing familiar stimuli, leading to decreased neural response.
Consequently, new unfamiliar experiences that initially cause strong emotional responses elicit weaker emotional responses over time as they become old familiar experiences.
This adaptation, known as hedonic adaptation, conserves energy, prevents sensory overload and helps maintain homeostasis, ensuring that we can respond quickly and effectively to new experiences.
How To Overcome The Law Of Familiarity
There are three main keys to overcoming The Law Of Familiarity.
Firstly, practice gratitude. Cultivating feelings of gratitude triggers the release of dopamine and serotonin. Gratitude shifts the lens through which we see the world around us and everything seems new again. Furthermore, what you appreciate, appreciates. The more we focus on what we can be grateful for, the more we find things to be grateful for.
Secondly, set goals. Progress equals happiness. When we have a goal we can move towards, we trigger the release of dopamine. As we make progress towards our goal, the brain continues to release dopamine. Therefore, by always having goals we can aim for, we ensure we constantly have something to progress towards and a constant supply of dopamine.
Thirdly, seek novelty. Variety is one of the 6 Human Needs. Novelty triggers the release of dopamine. Whether it’s learning something new, meeting new people, eating out at a new restaurant or visiting a new holiday destination, doing something new is a guaranteed way to generate a sense of aliveness. Interestingly, research shows that people who actively seek out new experiences throughout life live happier and healthier lives.
By leveraging these strategies, you become the Master of your Destiny instead of a Slave to your Fate.
Summary (TL;DR)
The Law Of Familiarity states that the more familiar we become with something, the more we adapt and tend to take it for granted.
The Law Of Familiarity occurs because the brain adapts to old stimulus so that it can focus on new stimulus.
The three main keys to overcoming the Law Of Familiarity are practicing gratitude, setting goals and seeking novelty.
