Why Are We Bad At Making Rational Decisions?

It seems that more and more people are allowing their decisions to be influenced by emotions and not logic. Why do we have such a hard time making rational decisions? This question is the core theme of many debates, research and scientific theories. This article will look at some key aspects of this matter.

We will try to show that people are much more rational than they think. We explain how we reason in a systematic way. No one is exempt from using wrong logic. We are all irrational sometimes. The more complicated our necessary decisions are, the more irrational we often are.

We can only define irrationality as opposed to rationality. So let’s talk about what it means to be rational first. Rationality takes two forms:

• The first form is rational thought. The rational thought leads to the conclusion that is probably correct since you have taken into account all available knowledge. It’s more complicated to make decisions this way. That’s because you’ve had to consider all the variables.
• The other form of rationality is to act in a certain way. It is a way that allows the individual to have the best chance of achieving his goal with the information he has at his disposal.

Why is it so hard to make rational decisions?

The book  Irrationality: The Enemy Within  answers the question of why we make so many mistakes when we try to reason and solve problems.

It provides a skeptical but hopeful view of our ability to think logically and act on the basis of this logical thinking. In addition, it teaches the readers various procedures that they can follow and improve their abilities.

You won’t be able to solve all your problems with these procedures suggested by the author, Stuart Sutherland. If you had had the information in this book earlier, you probably would have made fewer bad decisions.

Studying the mechanisms of irrationality is a path to self-knowledge. It also gives you a better understanding of how society works.

Obedience, adaptation, availability error, organizational nonsense, mismatch, the halo effect, the bystander effect, stereotypes… these are some of the things scientists study as possible sources of bad reasoning.

On the other hand, rationality also has to do with making decisions. People often think that you are a rational person if your choices lead you to your ultimate goals. If not, then you are not a rational person.

There are several psychological factors that lead you to make good decisions. The main factors are the ability to delay judgment, the complexity of the decision and the emotional influence.

Do you realize that you are falling into the trap of your own irrational thinking?

Beliefs do not come directly from reality. Sometimes they come from the need to maintain your self-image. For example, if you believe that others are not trustworthy, it may be because you need to see yourself as an honest person compared to them.

So your very strong beliefs sometimes just hide deep fears. They can also be a projection of characteristics or qualities that you do not want to accept. That’s because they contradict the ideal image you have of yourself.

Sometimes we feel too comfortable. We don’t want to change. When you believe something, you choose the easiest position that allows you to remain immobile.

You don’t have to change or keep looking. It doesn’t matter what you believe. Once you have decided that your belief is true, your search is over. That’s one thing that can lead to logical errors.

Can you train yourself to make rational decisions?

You can train yourself to think a certain way. Since you were little, the people in your life have taught you all kinds of behaviors related to personal hygiene.

Brushing your teeth, taking a shower, grooming your nails, eating, learning to dress, and so on. However, what have they taught you about mental hygiene? About taking care of your psyche?

To begin with, you must recognize that your mind sometimes deceives you. The reality you perceive around you crosses some filters before you process it.

This means that the same event (such as changes, breakups or unexpected situations) can be interpreted in very different ways. You can see this as a wonderful opportunity or as something very bad.

These spiritual filters are so powerful that they can become pitfalls. They trap you and sometimes cause unpleasant emotions. In addition, they can cause you to make bad decisions or make hasty decisions.

Guidelines for making rational decisions

The good news is that you can escape your own intellectual traps. To succeed in this you must take care of your mind. How can you do this? Follow these rational guidelines. You will find it easier to make rational decisions and solve your problems.

• Look for evidence or arguments that contradict your beliefs.
• Don’t take a statement as true just because you believe part of it.
• Remember that changing your mind in the face of new evidence is a sign of strength, not weakness.

• Try not to get carried away into taking an action that you would not have chosen in the first place.
• Don’t get caught up in a group mentality. If you wouldn’t do it on your own, don’t do it just because others are doing it.

The tips in this article may not solve all of your decision making mistakes. Still, with a little effort you can probably make more rational decisions and better understand how the world really works.