Doesn't living your life really mean making an endless series of decisions? Lehrer draws heavily upon the latest in neuroscience research and behavioral economics (see, Predictably Irrational, another great book), as well as fascinating interviews and case studies ranging from Tom Brady's decision-making process in the Super Bowl to airplane pilots coping with mechanical failure. This isn't a dry science textbook. It's compelling reading, with the hard science explained smoothly and clearly.
I want to share the principles of good-decision-making from How We Decide's final chapter.
"SIMPLE PROBLEMS REQUIRE REASON"
One of the drawbacks of emotions is that they contain a few obsolete instincts that are no longer suited for modern life. This is why we are all so vulnerable to loss aversion, slot machines, and credit cards. The only way to defend against such innate flaws is to exercise reason...
Nutshell: for easy decisions, rely on reasoning, not emotion. For complex problems, listen to your emotions more, since the brain's reasoning capacity gets overloaded and reason alone leads to poor decisions. (Lots of explanation and examples of these concepts in the book, of course.)
"NOVEL PROBLEMS ALSO REQUIRE REASON"
Before you entrust a mystery to the emotional brain, before deciding to let your instincts make a big bet in poker or fire a missile at a suspicious radar blip, ask yourself a question: How does your past experience help solve this particular problem?
Nutshell: Mysteries are problems that reason alone can't solve, but reason is a vital checkpoint to avoid the errors that emotional decision-making can be prone to.
"EMBRACE UNCERTAINTY"
There are two simple tricks to help ensure that you never let certainty interfere with your judgment. First, always entertain competing hypotheses.... Second, continually remind yourself of what you don't know.
Nutshell: When you feel absolutely certain about a decision, watch out -- certainty produces poor decisions more often than not.
"YOU KNOW MORE THAN YOU KNOW"
The emotional brain is especially useful at helping us make hard decisions. Its massive computational power -- its ability to process millions of bits of data in parallel -- ensures that you can analyze all the relevant information when assessing alternatives. Mysteries are broken down into practical feelings. The reason these emotions are so intelligent is that they've managed to turn mistakes into educational events.
Nutshell: Trust your emotions -- they are telling you the outcome of your brain's sub-conscious processing of the situation (but, see above, use reason to fact-check).
"THINK ABOUT THINKING"
Whenever you make a decision, be aware of the kind of decision you are making and the thought process it requires.... The best way to make sure you are using your brain properly is to study your brain at work, to listen to the arguments inside your head.
Nutshell: Since there's no simple, reliable way to make decisions, the best approach is to hone your awareness of all you are thinking and feeling -- take it all into account and beware of lightly dismissing those feelings or thoughts that don't immediately fit.
It's a lot to think about. My mind is still buzzing with all of the implications, and I expect it will be for some time. As I make decisions about our online community, I'll be watching myself to see how and why I'm thinking. I *think* that sounds like a good plan...
Posts
