Effort Justification Effect

The Effort Justification Effect is a psychological phenomenon where people tend to value an outcome more highly if they’ve put a lot of effort into achieving it. For example, if someone works hard to prepare for a difficult exam or completes a challenging project, they may convince themselves that the effort was worthwhile, increasing their satisfaction with the result. This effect helps justify the time and energy spent, making individuals feel their effort was meaningful, even if the outcome is not objectively better. It reflects our tendency to rationalize hard work by enhancing the perceived value of success.