Today, we’re talking about Subadditivity Effect.
The Subadditivity Effect is a cognitive bias in which people underestimate the total time, effort, or resources needed to complete a task when they divide it into smaller parts. Each subtask seems manageable in isolation, leading individuals to believe the overall task will take less time or be easier than it actually is. However, when these subtasks are combined, the complexity and time required to complete them increase, often leading to inefficient planning and stress.
A Dance Competition Example
Imagine a dancer preparing for an important competition. They break down their preparation process into smaller, seemingly manageable subtasks:
Learning the choreography
Practicing specific steps
Working on timing and musicality
Refining technique
Running the routine full-out with costume and performance energy
They estimate how long each part will take and believe they have more than enough time. However, they fail to account for additional factors, such as:
Integrating the subtasks—synchronizing choreography, technique, and timing into a cohesive performance
Unexpected challenges—such as forgetting steps, needing extra repetitions, or adjusting to feedback
Mental and physical fatigue—the time needed to rest and recover
Last-minute fine-tuning—like fixing costume issues or adjusting to changes in the performance space
When the dancer puts all the subtasks together, they realise the process is far more demanding than anticipated. This underestimation can lead to rushed practices, stress, and fatigue, ultimately impacting their confidence and performance during the competition.
Why the Subadditivity Effect Matters in Dance Preparation
This bias demonstrates how dancers—whether beginners or professionals—may overlook the time it takes to integrate different aspects of their training. In reality, mastering a dance routine involves more than just learning the steps individually.
It requires:
Consistency: Time to develop muscle memory through repetition
Holistic Practice: Blending timing, technique, and expression into one seamless performance
Mental Preparation: Visualizing the performance and dealing with nerves
Failing to account for these factors creates a gap between expectations and reality, resulting in a lack of preparation, frustration, or even burnout.
Practical Takeaways: Planning for Success
To overcome the Subadditivity Effect, dancers (and their coaches) should take the following steps:
Build a realistic timeline: Factor in time for setbacks, additional practice sessions, and unexpected delays.
Practice integration early: Don’t wait until the last minute to run the full routine—start combining steps, timing, and technique well in advance.
Set buffer time: Add extra time beyond what you think you need. As the saying goes: Underpromise and overdeliver.
Embrace rest and recovery: Fatigue reduces productivity and increases mistakes. Make sure to schedule breaks to maintain energy and focus.
Application in the Dance Studio
At Dance Culture Studios, we teach dancers to plan comprehensively by understanding that each part of the preparation is interconnected. Breaking things down is important, but dancers must also practice putting them back together early in the process.
For example, we encourage dancers to:
Run full routines regularly, even if they aren't perfect yet. This helps them build stamina and identify problem areas early.
Practice in performance conditions, such as wearing costumes and rehearsing in front of others, to simulate competition environments.
Get feedback at multiple stages to avoid last-minute surprises. Feedback helps dancers identify blind spots that may go unnoticed if they only focus on individual sections.
To sum it up:
Plan Smarter, Not Harder
The Subadditivity Effect teaches us that efficient preparation is about more than just breaking tasks into small pieces—it’s about understanding how those pieces fit together and leaving enough time to perfect the whole. Dancers who rush to complete everything at the last moment often experience unnecessary stress and anxiety, which can negatively affect their performance.
To achieve success, adequate preparation requires balancing careful planning, holistic practice, and enough time for adjustments. At Dance Culture Studios, we emphasise the importance of failing forward: Trying, adjusting, and improving—without skipping steps.
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