Mom Test

Biological Parallel

The Mom Test principle—ask about past behavior, not future intentions—mirrors how biologists study animal preferences. Researchers don't ask birds which flowers they 'would visit'; they observe which flowers they actually visit and measure nectar depletion. Stated preferences (what animals should theoretically prefer) often diverge from revealed preferences (what they actually choose). A plant releasing fragrance that 'should' attract pollinators fails if insects don't actually visit. Test revealed behavior in your actual environment, not hypothetical intentions in imagined scenarios.