ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Extension neglect

Extension neglect is what happens when we overly focus on one aspect of something while ignoring or not giving enough attention to other aspects of that same thing.

Think about a yummy slice of pizza. If we are too focused on the pepperoni on top, we might forget to appreciate the delicious cheese and crust underneath. This is similar to what happens when we experience extension neglect.

For example, imagine you are looking at a painting. The painting is a beautiful landscape with a lot of details. However, if you spend too much time focusing on the colors used in the painting, you might miss out on the details of the trees and the sky. This means that you are experiencing extension neglect because you are overlooking the other elements of the painting that are equally important.

Similarly, if you are preparing for an exam and you spend all your time studying one subject, you might neglect other subjects that are equally important. As a result, you may not perform as well as you could have on the exam.

Extension neglect can happen in many different situations, whether it's at school, work, or even in your personal life. The key to avoiding it is to keep in mind all the different parts of the thing you are focusing on and make a conscious effort to pay attention to each part equally.
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