
Psychologists have found that people tend to judge an experience largely by its ending rather than by every moment within it. This is called the peak-end rule. A great ending can improve the memory of an average experience, while a bad ending can overshadow an otherwise enjoyable one.
Businesses, hotels, and entertainment companies often focus on leaving customers with a strong final impression. The last few moments can shape the entire memory. How something ends often matters more than how it began.
© Princeton University