There is a play-it-at-home game to explain this effect. Follow these four steps: Think of the last movie, play, or TV show that you finished: Whisper it to yourself. Between 1 (awful) and 10 (perfect), imagine how you might rate it. Now think of seven specific things you liked about the movie or show. Count them on your fingers and don’t stop until you hit seven. Finalize your rating of the show. This sort of game is famous because something curious often happens: Between steps 2 and 4, the rating typically goes down.