Harvard says no to the easy "A"

Harvard University’s decision to cap A grades at 20% marks a significant shift in academic policy aimed at curbing grade inflation, which saw the percentage of top marks rise from 24% in 2005 to 60% by 2025. While the university argues this measure restores academic rigor and reduces student anxiety over "grade shopping," critics contend it creates a zero-sum competitive environment that may hinder collaborative learning. Beyond academia, consumer perception is frequently manipulated through subtle marketing tactics, such as using colored mesh bags to enhance the perceived ripeness of produce. This phenomenon, known as color assimilation, causes the brain to blend the packaging's hue with the fruit, leading shoppers to overestimate the freshness of items like oranges and vegetables. Both instances illustrate how institutional policies and environmental cues significantly shape human behavior and decision-making.