Penalty Kicks (Perception is Reality)

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Studies show that the odds of saving a goal in a penalty kick in soccer is about 17.4%. Why is the odds so low?

Experts also suggest that the best strategy for the goal keeper is to stay central during the penalty kick. Then why, do we almost always see goal keepers diving left or right side when the shooter kicks?

Many goal keepers, when interviewed, said that they dived one side because (1) if they guess the direction correctly, that would increase the chance of saving the goal; (2) if they did not save the goal, no one will blame them for "doing nothing".

Point (2) above, is an example of the concept of "Perception is Reality".  No matter how good a goal keeper is, if the fans perceive him to do nothing and hence lost the goal, then that becomes a reality, that "he did nothing and hence lost the goal".  The fear of this perception can lead one to choose a less strategic option, as in this case.

Another example :

You have some very good products in your company but you did not advertise.  Most people do not know about your products, or they feel that your products are not of good quality because they do not hear their friends talk about the products.  Hence the consumers' perception of your products is : not of good quality (regardless whether this is true or not).  And when consumers do not buy your products, it becomes a reality (that your sales is not good despite having some good products).  Hence, advertising your products is such an important business strategy for consumer awareness as well as for changing perception.

I may touch on the topic of Perception is Reality again in future.

Thank you, RF, for allowing me to use this picture.

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