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tale852150
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What is the psychological explanation for the phenomena that a person sees the solution to a problem as “simple” once it has been found?

Is there in psychology an explanation and/or term that describes the phenomena that exists where people perceive a solution to a problem as “simple” after the solution has been found? I have noticed in my many years of working with people that there are some who claim the solution to a problem was “simple” - and take great pride in this - but only after the solution has been found. Of course, many things seem “simple” or “obvious” after they are known.

Example: Fixing a car.

A mechanic needs to change a part A that only has two screws connecting it to the chassis. But he has to remove parts B, C, D and E to get to part A, all of which are time- consuming to remove. After replacing part A the car is fixed. The boss (who is a mechanic himself but with higher rank within the company) says that the repair was “simple” - just had to change part A.

Is that “oversimplification bias”? I don’t know if such a bias exists.

tale852150
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