Hicks Law

I've just had the misfortune of sitting through a very dull seminar on 'Conflict Management' a subject that I normally enjoy...

The instructor seemed somewhat obsessed with 'Hicks Law'(or more properly called 'The Hick-Hyman Law' as I pointed out to him afterwards.

I was somewhat amazed as, although it is an interesting theory, I thought in the field of conflict management and self defense, Hicks Law had been disproved some time ago..

Do any of you instructors use it or know if it is still being used?

Hi Griff

Loads of people still use it in their teachings. This is a good article that pretty much debunks Hick's Law as dated "junk science":

http://www.hockscqc.com/articles/hickslaw.htm


Peace

Joe

Thanks Joe - an excellent article

My pleasure. Here is another link to an interesting article on the startle reflex:

http://www.hockscqc.com/articles/startle-reflex/startle-reflex.htm

Peace

Joe

Hey.. Thanks Joe.. Sorry for delay in replying! I was sure that that Hicks had been 'disproved' years ago.. Great articles! Now I'm fairly sure I've sat through a couple of sessions with that Hockheim chap when I trained at FLETC..

Griffin wrote:Hey.. Thanks Joe.. Sorry for delay in replying! I was sure that that Hicks had been 'disproved' years ago.. Great articles! Now I'm fairly sure I've sat through a couple of sessions with that Hockheim chap when I trained at FLETC..

You are right! Hick's Law was disproved years ago, but so many cling on to this concept as it is the Holy Grail. Bruce Siddle used it for years brainwashing cops all over America through his PPCT program.

Best- Joe

Thanks for the links to the articles Joe

My pleasure bro.

Joe

G'day guys,

I think hicks law still has it's place although maybe not as a law. It could be referred to as Hicks Phenomenon and can explain why some people do freeze when presented with too many choices, when a feedback loop is in play. I think to write it off altogether would be a bit premature, but on the other hand relying on it as a law would be over limiting.

just thought I'd throw my 2 cents in.

Perhaps we need to consider the less extreme result of having too many options.
Not as debliltating as Freezing due to too much choice, more a case of not being effective enough.

This clip is a classic case of the officers having too many options

Before they have the guy under control properly, they are already reaching for their handcuffs, calling for backup, etc

Almost like too much choice means they flit from one option to another instead of just making one thing work