Psychology
What is The peak-end rule?
The peak-end rule is the finding that people judge an experience mostly by how it felt at its most intense moment (the peak) and at its end — not by the average of every moment. It strongly shapes our memories and reviews of events.
See it, don’t just read it.
Watch a 2-minute lesson with voice + animation that explains the peak-end rule.
Key things to understand
- 1We judge experiences by their peak and their ending.
- 2The average of all moments matters far less.
- 3A strong finish can redeem a rough experience.
- 4It shapes reviews, memories, and customer satisfaction.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the peak-end rule?
- The tendency to judge an experience mainly by its most intense moment and how it ended.
- Why does the peak-end rule matter?
- It means the ending of an experience disproportionately shapes how people remember and rate it.
- How is the peak-end rule used?
- Businesses design strong peaks and endings — like a great finish to a visit — to boost satisfaction.