by Stephen Monrad on November 18, 2009
Other people’s actions and opinions influence us
In a big complicated world, there are too many decisions to be made. One sensible way to make snap decisions is to copy what other people are doing. If it hasn’t killed them, it probably won’t kill you either. Evolution has wired us to view the choices other people make favorably.
To get elected, plant as many campaign signs on people’s lawns as possible
What other people think matters. If lots of people in your community feel strongly enough about a candidate that they put up a sign supporting the candidate, perhaps the candidate is worth serious consideration. While you might not think this through consciously, you will likely feel more positive about candidates with more visible support.
Easier to follow than to lead
Once one pedestrian at a busy intersection starts crossing against the light, it is much more likely that others will follow. The first person needs to carefully check to make sure there is enough time to get across safely. The next person can look a little less carefully because they know that the first person has already checked the traffic. Once a few people have started across, you can quite safely walk out without looking at all.
Much of the time copying is good
In most situations copying other people is good. It helps us make decisions quickly without having to think very hard. Evolution has wired us to rely on the judgement of others. We feel much better making decisions when other people agree with us.
Occasionally it doesn’t work
If the first guy crossing the road was distracted and didn’t realize how fast the car was going, the second person heading across gets hit too. Sometimes it is necessary to think independently. The trick is to figure out when following the crowd is a bad idea.
by Stephen Monrad on November 9, 2009
Overwhelmingly, people do what they have always done.
- You drive home the way you have always driven home. You probably don’t stop to think if it is the fastest route.
- You buy the cereal you always buy. You don’t analyze the nutritional information on the boxes or comparison shop prices.
- You go to your favorite restaurants often because they were good in the past.
Thinking is hard work. It makes sense to take the easy path most of the time. The easiest path to take is the path you have always taken.
This isn’t a bad strategy for decision making. You’ve made it this far. Your past decisions can’t have been that bad. Are you being rational? Probably not. Does it matter? No, not really.
by Stephen Monrad on November 1, 2009
The brain doesn’t run on the consensus model.
Nobody really knows exactly how we make decisions. One thing, however, is reasonably clear. Different parts of our brains have different jobs and often don’t agree. The sugar craving area loves donuts and candy bars. The part that is concerned about self-image and extra flab hates them. It is the pushing and pulling of different parts of our brains that makes making decisions difficult.
When we finally make a decision, the losing side hasn’t given up. At best, it has been mollified. The strength of its arguments lose force and are eventually overwhelmed.
Evidence of this lack of agreement can be seen in the remorse we often feel after making a big decision. The nay-saying sections seem to rally after the decision is made and we are committed. I have no idea how this mental tug-of-war plays out in our skulls. Recognizing the tug-of-war, though, can help us make better decisions.
Specifically, we can use the lack of consensus to our advantage. When important decisions need to be made, we can do our best not to leap to quick conclusions. We can deliberately give the nay-sayers a chance to build their case. In a sense, we can give our own internal devil’s advocate a chance to speak.
This isn’t to say that we need to actively think through problems and deliberate on the cons we perceive. Often it is enough to simply give our unconscious minds time to process a problem.
Sleeping on a decision is usually a good idea.
