There are times in life when we feel like no matter what we do, nothing will change. It’s as if our actions were drops of water in the ocean: insignificant and useless. In some cases, this feeling may be the result of fatigue or frustration at not making progress, but other times it’s due to a psychological phenomenon known as the illusion of futility.
When control is real… but we don’t see it
In 2011, a group of psychologists from Harvard University, Carnegie Mellon University, and California State University conducted a series of experiments asking: What if the illusion of control depended precisely on the degree of control we actually have?
In the experiments, participants performed a task in which they could influence the outcome with two different levels of effectiveness:
- Low control: only 15% chance of success.
- High control: 85% chance of success.
When their level of control was low, participants overestimated their influence, falling into what is known as the illusion of control. However, what was surprising was that when their actual control was high, they tended to underestimate it, which is known as the illusion of futility.
Researchers explain that when our level of control is low, we tend to exaggerate it as a strategy to compensate for uncertainty or to foster hope. In contrast, when we have a high level of control, we are often not fully aware of the extent to which we can actually influence outcomes, or we are simply frightened by the thought that everything depends largely on us.
The underlying problem: we learn not to expect anything
This underestimation inevitably leads to demotivation, inaction, and, consequently, to the confirmation of the initial prophecy: there’s no point in trying.
For example, imagine you’re looking for a job. You apply for two jobs and, since you don’t hear back, you conclude, “The job market is terrible; no matter what I do, no one’s going to hire me.” But the truth is, the more resumes you send out , the greater the chances of getting called for an interview and hired. In that case, you have a fair amount of control over the situation, but if you fall victim to the illusion of futility, you’ll quickly throw in the towel.
The same goes for health: we know that exercise improves physical and mental well-being, but many people give up after two weeks because they don’t see results. Or with finances: we understand that every little expense counts, but we continue to make impulse purchases, thinking, “Well, it’s only five euros…” These are areas where our actions make a difference, but we don’t perceive it that way. Why?
In reality, our brain isn’t so much interested in objectivity as in protection. When something repeatedly frustrates us, we learn to lower our expectations. It’s a kind of defense mechanism: if I don’t expect anything, I won’t be disappointed. But this resignation is dangerous, because it transforms the margins for action into chronic apathy.
The worrying thing is that the illusion of futility can become a general narrative we apply to life, leading us to believe that all effort is useless. And once we’re entrenched in that belief, it’s hard to lift our heads. We become passive, cynical, and disconnected. It’s like turning off a working light just because we believe it’s broken.
When we fall into the illusion of futility, it’s not that we can’t do anything to improve our situation; it’s that we believe it’s not worth trying. There’s a gap between the actual control we have and the perceived control, and it’s precisely in that gap that futility sets in.
How to combat the illusion of futility?
Modern society, with its accelerated pace and focus on instant results, doesn’t exactly help us appreciate the changes that slowly develop. However, we can take some steps to avoid falling into the illusion of futility:
- Become aware of your real scope for action. It’s not about thinking you’re Superman or Superwoman, but about identifying the areas where you can truly make a difference. Can you improve your resume? Can you save even a small amount each month? Can you walk 20 minutes a day even if you don’t run a marathon? If so, do it.
- Celebrate the cumulative effects. Many of the benefits of our actions aren’t visible in the short term. But that doesn’t mean they don’t exist. Eating well one day won’t transform your health, but it will improve if you do it for a whole year. Change isn’t immediately visible, but it’s happening.
- Be wary of the “whatever” mentality. Every time you think “it’s useless” or “that’s how it goes,” stop and ask yourself: Is this a rational assessment or a discouragement disguised as certainty? Spoiler alert: It’s often the latter.
- Seek external feedback. Talk to someone you trust about what you’re doing. It’s often easier to see unseen progress from the outside. An outside observer might also be able to give you ideas about what you could do to achieve your goals.
- Recall your past achievements. When did you do something that seemed pointless and ended up paying off? Having an emotional memory of our victories protects us from the illusion of futility because it reminds us that sometimes when we try hard, we can achieve something.
Not all is lost… even if it sometimes seems so
The illusion of futility is a dangerous delusion: it makes us believe that it’s not worthwhile to act, just when it matters most. It’s a bias that disconnects us from our power, pushes us toward passivity, and prevents us from making positive changes in our lives.
Recognizing this psychological phenomenon allows us to regain control in those moments when we can truly make a difference, even if it doesn’t seem like it at first. So the next time you think, “This isn’t going to help,” remember: you may not be seeing the real impact of your actions… but it’s there. Don’t throw in the towel too soon.
Source:
Gino, F. et. Al. (2011) Keeping the illusion of control under control: Ceilings, floors, and imperfect calibration. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes ; 114(2): 104-114.
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