25 errors of thinking, because of which we take the wrong decisions
A Life / / December 19, 2019
We have to make decisions quickly. Once upon a time it was necessary that we did not eat predators, or that we could someone eat. Now it looks a little more civilized, but the meaning remains the same: to survive and succeed, you need to decide to do.
It's harder than it seems. We have a large, multi-functional brain, which is able to receive and process vast amounts of data. But the collection and analysis of information takes time, and it is something just not. Therefore, the brain came up with a workaround - cognitive distortions that help select important information and put them in place in the halls of reason.
We have already talked about what cognitive distortions simultaneously help and hinder filter dataAnd which form templates. It was the turn to talk about the thinking errors that prevent us to make good decisions.
We overestimate yourself
To act, we need confidence. Otherwise we can not do anything. It does not matter that there are no grounds for the confidence we have. The brain finds them and give.
overconfidence effect (Lake Uobegon)
It's amazing how in such a wonderful tool, embedded within our brains, as many people not sure in itself. But we tend to feel better than others and believe that everything will be the way we want.
Deviation in the direction of optimism
We tend to overestimate the chance of a positive outcome of any business. Another distortion, which many do not have enough to decide on something interesting.
Forer effect (Barnum effect)
When someone describes us, moreover, as if specially tried, it seems that he was right. We believe the description, even if it is vague and does not say about anything. So work all horoscope: Aries like all energetic and persistent, and archers clockwork and persistent.
illusion of control
When we are interested to some it ended well, this illusion: that we can control the outcome of the case to a much greater extent than we think.
For example, we are preparing a presentation to convince investors to give money. It seems that from the performance depends in general all and only we ourselves can influence the decision of a person. And it does not have the money - he lost them yesterday. To this we can not influence. The main thing - always consider this possibility and make a backup plan.
The effect of self-centeredness
Man ascribes to himself special merits in achieving the goal (and in fact his role was less than he thinks). The effect of self-centeredness and the illusion of control gives strength, but hinder the right to analyze the situation, and this is resulting in errors.
Effect of false consensus
We project our beliefs, habits and opinions of other people. After all, it seems that everyone thinks the same way as we do (and who thinks otherwise is a wrong and defective). For example, if you believe that computer games - the evil, the word "gamer" is a dirty word.
Distortion in the description of the nature of
It is associated with the effect of false consensus. Other people seem simple, understandable, unchanged. Whether it ourselves: life changes us, we have to get smarter.
Effect Dunning - Kruger
A man who is not versed in any subject, will make wrong decisions. But I will never understand it, because he does not understand the subject: he did not have enough qualifications to notice the error. And here is a man who knows a lot, is more likely to think that he does not know anything.
risk compensation
We are ready to take risks, if we know that we are safe. And if we are in danger, then we refuse to risk. You want the man took a risky decision? Let him relax. You feel like the store sellers surround the care? Straining the purse is in danger, is now offered to buy an expensive thing.
We appreciate the moment
We are used to make decisions as to the hunt: now or never. Therefore, the brain filters out the problem and considers particularly important the circumstances that is here and now. But the long-term planning or well fastened experience can not resist the distorted thinking.
hyperbolic depreciation
We are ready to get less, but now, instead of waiting, even if we get more for waiting. If you offer a candy that can be eaten now, or a box of candy that can be eaten at the end of the week, most will take a candy.
chronological snobbery
We love everything new and modern only because it is new and modern. Not the fact that it is useful, but in advertising the word "modern" is still running.
We love protoronnye trails
If we have a choice of what to do, we give preference to one that has already started. And it helps us to achieve the goals, but it makes to miss new opportunities.
loss aversion
The fear to lose something stronger than the desire to get something new. If we lose a purse with money, the crazy upset. And if you find the exact same purse, only ulybnomsya his luck. And we decide with the same emotions.
zero risk preference
So we do not like to take risks, that if you give us a choice: to completely eliminate the risk or reduce light serious risk, we will agree to eliminate the risk of lung. But it is a serious risk will remain with us. For example, are we so afraid of dentists that are willing to set aside a regular inspection until until crumble tooth.
irrational gain
If we made a decision and started to move in the direction of the target, it is difficult to give up the case, even if everything is against us. The more forces we spent to achieve the goal, the more important this objective we think. Therefore, we are ready to talk for hours about the grams that we have lost in a week, though no one but the scales do not see any difference. Worse, when we are ready to convince themselves in the use of only a bad result because the effort.
In short: the horse died - with tears.
the effect of dispositions
We do not get rid of trashBecause we hope that it is more useful to us. And the longer it is, the harder it is to throw away or sell, because so many have been waiting. This also applies to securities that do not rise in price, and pocketed the pantries, which are very important things.
Preference whole objects
We love to do one thing and one time, but to the end, to complete the task completely. If we take into the hands of a large plate, fill it with food, and then be sure I shall reach. A small bowl filled a lot of time the brain does not want to.
We are afraid of bugs
Every action has a consequence, that our brain has learned. But some actions lead to irreversible changes. To avoid the worst happens, the brain came up with protective mechanisms, which should insure against mistakes. It does not always work.
The deviation in the direction of the status quo
We do not want to change anything, prefer that everything was exactly as it is, even if something can change for the better. Because of this distortion, and there is the same comfort zone, from which it so hard to leave.
justification system
This distortion of the previous, only on a larger scale. We are ready to defend all that is around us, even if for the sake of it will have to sacrifice their own interests.
Psychological reactance
If a person is to restrict the freedom, the brain will rebel and begin to counteract the pressure, even if the pressure was good. Therefore, to spite her mother frostbitten ears, we, and oranges, for which we are allergic, will be the most delicious fruit in the world. This effect is built manipulation.
The same dress code at the entrance of pathos club - an example of the manipulation of the reverse: you can not go there, but if you try, you will receive an invitation inside. The brain then decides that you have to get into this club.
the effect of ambiguity
People prefer to do so, that the action was the result of specific and clear. And all the actions, the outcome of which is difficult to predict, we ignore. For example, we love to work with a fixed salary, a work in which we get a percentage of the profits, not love, even if you can earn many times more.
bait effect
It's a marketing effect, which compares different products, with one of the products introduced only in order to get you to abandon it in favor of more expensive.
For example, in the action of discount involved three TVs: small and cheap, average and expensive, large and expensive. Average and expensive no one will buy, because in the background of large and expensive looks very attractive, but small and cheap - very profitable. And achieves this seller.
we are lazy
We prefer to perform simple actions, well-established and clear, and not take on something difficult and prolonged, even if it is very important.
procrastination
we dilatory work as soon as we can, fill the time any action, but would not start a big project.
Bias towards information retrieval
Before you start anything, we collect information. Again, collect information. And again, even if it is not necessary to us, and it was high time to act.
the effect of rhyme
If any statement is constructed in the form of lines with the rhyme, we believe he is stronger than rhyming, even if they are identical in meaning. Therefore proverbs so long live in the memory, and speech quality of speakers sounds like a song.
Law triviality
The simpler and smaller than a question, the more time is spent on discussing it. When at a meeting you will find that here for half an hour can not decide what color to buy dishes for corporate parties and where to hang a poster, remember about the law and engage important things.
Learn all the cognitive distortions and to understand how they affect your life, it is hardly possible. You probably should not analyze why you want to buy exactly the chocolate, not the other. But when you will be a difficult decision, read this list to see who manages your decision: you or the error of thinking. And we will tell about other ways of self-deception.