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Improve Your Decision-Making
In his new book Professor Gary Marcus of New York University likens the mind to a ''kluge'' - an engineering term meaning a clumsy or inelegant solution to a problem.
To combat the ''klugey'' nature of our minds, Professor Marcus provides 13 quick techniques based on psychological research to help us combat its inherent flaws in decision-making.
1. Whenever possible, consider alternatives
Our brains are not good at evaluating evidence dispassionately. Force yourself to generate alternatives. Research has demonstrated the value of counter-factual thinking: thinking about the opposite helps us make better decisions.
2. Reframe the question
Our memories are highly contextual so the background to any issue we consider has a huge impact on how we view it. Politicians, advertisers and other influencers use framing extensively to persuade us of their point of view. You can fight back by reframing their propositions.
3. Correlation doesn''t equal causation
An oldie but a goldie. There''s a clear connection between foot size and being richer, owning your own house and having a better education. Conversely people with smaller feet are often still struggling with potty training. Guessed it yet? People with small feet are commonly children, so of course they have less money, don''t own their own houses and, haven''t been to school yet. Correlation doesn''t equal causation.
4. Never forget the sample size
When we think about someone and a few seconds later they call us, is that evidence of ESP? Consider the sample size. How a number of times have you thought about that person in the past year? How a number of times have they called you in the last year? What first seems like a freak occurrence soon starts to look inevitable. Sample sizes are easy to forget.
5. Anticipate your impulsivity
The best of intentions often break down in the face of vicious temptation. People find it difficult to predict just how far off course their emotions can pull them (e.g.
» Kluge is released in the UK on the 5 June, you can pre-order from Amazon.co.uk.Labels: Decision-making
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