Psychology is no doubt a mind blowing discipline save subject, for this it is worth every salt. In his book Secrets of the Millionaire Mind, T.Harv affirms that our mental conditioning determines how we make judgements and decisions.
A formula dubbed as the Process of Manifestation has since been coined which explains how Thoughts (T) generates Feelings (F) which leads to Actions (A) yielding Results (R) thereafter; T>F>A>R. Ain't psychology interesting?
William Ruto's presence in Kenya's political ring has sparked antagonistic responses from Kenyans. His die-hard supporters have inferred him as a poor man's savior who is fearlessly deconstructing the status quo.
His ingeniousness in defying forces of gravity has made him a hero and pro-Ruto harbingers have foretold of his massive victory in the near future. Psychologically, Ruto may be suffering from Dunning-Krugler effect which makes one overestimate his potentials.
In his study, Israel researcher Michael Bar-Eli made a notable observation from goalkeepers and penalty shoot-outs. In a penalty situation, the ball take less than 0.3 seconds to travel from the player who kicks the ball to the goal.
0.3 seconds is not enough time for a goalkeeper to watch the ball's trajectory, goalkeepers are supposed to take a decision before the ball is kicked and since there is uncertainty where the ball will land, they have found themselves diving to the left or to the right, rarely do they stand in middle.
Why don't they stand still and wait? The answer is simple: Appearance. It looks more impressive and feels less embarrassing to dive to the wrong side than to freeze on the spot and watch the ball sail past. This action look active but it achieves nothing. Psychologists have dubbed this Action bias.
There is a famous adage which says thus; A government is a big tree and whoever dares shake it will instead have his buttocks shaking. Ruto himself has severally acknowledged that there exists power barons who seldom lose targets, one can wonder, if he truly knows that his kicks are those of a dying horse, why is he is laboring himself for nothingness?
Instead of standing mum and letting go off his presidential bid which is facing a fierce opposition from power barons who seldom lose, Ruto like a goal keeper has fallen victim to Action bias, he is diving to the left and right hoping to save the penalty. Will he really manage?
By looking determined and daring, he has given his supporters false hope of beating them power brokers knowing that should he fail to live to his promise, he will be absolved for trying than buckling under pressure.