> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://www.designreference.xyz/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://www.designreference.xyz/cognitive-tools/ux-laws-principles/behaviour/peak-end-rule.md).

# Peak-End Rule

The Peak-End Rule is a psychological concept that suggests people judge their past experiences or events based on the peak (the most intense or memorable moment) and the end (how it concluded) of that experience rather than considering the overall average of the entire event.

Imagine if you had a vacation, for example, and it had some really amazing moments (the peak) and a nice ending, you're more likely to remember the whole vacation positively, even if there were boring or less enjoyable parts in between. So, it's not about the entire experience but rather the high point and how it all wrapped up that shapes your memory of it.

#### Further Reading

{% embed url="<https://lawsofux.com/peak-end-rule/>" %}

{% embed url="<https://www.nngroup.com/articles/peak-end-rule/>" %}

{% embed url="<https://medium.com/perpetual/ux-design-principle-006-peak-end-rule-ad331daea362>" %}

#### Further Viewing

{% embed url="<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxsiQhl4t_I>" %}

{% embed url="<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkQBbCm7VCE>" %}


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://www.designreference.xyz/cognitive-tools/ux-laws-principles/behaviour/peak-end-rule.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.