<p><strong>Does this phrase represent an actual clinical diagnosis?</strong></p>

<p>There is no such diagnosis in the DSM. Based on your definition (<em>the tendency to start new ideas without thinking them through</em>), it is probably correlated with psychological constructs such as impulsivity or deliberation. These can be measured using tests such as the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barratt_Impulsiveness_Scale" rel="nofollow">Barratt Impulsivity Scale</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cognitive_Reflection_Test" rel="nofollow">Cognitive Reflection Test</a>, respectively. Whether or not people who fall prey to "shiny object syndrome" in business are actually more impulsive or less deliberate is not clear.</p>

<p><strong>Are there people who are more likely than others to be distracted by "shiny objects"?</strong></p>

<p>Since "shiny object syndrome" hasn't been operationalized, it's impossible to say for sure. I think it's reasonable to believe there is individual variation here, either because some people are more cautious than others, or because they have learned from their mistakes. </p>

<p><strong>Can "shiny objects" cause further effects other than distraction?</strong></p>

<p>Sure, why not? By definition, it sounds like there would be a drop in efficiency or productivity, which can at least cause negative monetary outcomes.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-12-20T22:11:05.377Z
2014-12-20T22:11:05.377Z
Jeff
<p>The term "Shiny Object Syndrome" is used to describe the tendency to start new ideas without thinking them through, especially in business.</p>

<ul>
<li>Does this phrase represent an actual clinical diagnosis? </li>
<li>Are there people who are more likely than others to be distracted by "shiny objects"? </li>
<li>Can "shiny objects" cause further effects other than distraction?</li>
</ul>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-07-20T06:22:48.533Z
I believe the use of shiny objects to refer to distractions is idiomatic, and based not on human behavior but on the propensity of certain birds, particularly magpies, to collect trinkets to hoard in their nests. People who are easily distracted don't necessarily respond to the literally shiny.
lea
<cognitive-psychology><attention>
Is there really a Shiny Object Syndrome?
user5102
# Is there really a Shiny Object Syndrome?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2014-07-17)

The term "Shiny Object Syndrome" is used to describe the tendency to start new ideas without thinking them through, especially in business.

* Does this phrase represent an actual clinical diagnosis?
* Are there people who are more likely than others to be distracted by "shiny objects"?
* Can "shiny objects" cause further effects other than distraction?

**Tags:** cognitive-psychology, attention

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: I believe the use of shiny objects to refer to distractions is idiomatic, and based not on human behavior but on the propensity of certain birds, particularly magpies, to collect trinkets to hoard in their nests. People who are easily distracted don't necessarily respond to the literally shiny.  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2014-12-20. Score: 4

**Does this phrase represent an actual clinical diagnosis?**

There is no such diagnosis in the DSM. Based on your definition (*the tendency to start new ideas without thinking them through*), it is probably correlated with psychological constructs such as impulsivity or deliberation. These can be measured using tests such as the [Barratt Impulsivity Scale](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barratt_Impulsiveness_Scale) and [Cognitive Reflection Test](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cognitive_Reflection_Test), respectively. Whether or not people who fall prey to "shiny object syndrome" in business are actually more impulsive or less deliberate is not cusername_1r.

**Are there people who are more likely than others to be distracted by "shiny objects"?**

Since "shiny object syndrome" hasn't been operationalized, it's impossible to say for sure. I think it's reasonable to believe there is individual variation here, either because some people are more cautious than others, or because they have username_1rned from their mistakes.

**Can "shiny objects" cause further effects other than distraction?**

Sure, why not? By definition, it sounds like there would be a drop in efficiency or productivity, which can at username_1st cause negative monetary outcomes.


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