Hibernians
Donald Duck Changed My Life
- Joined
- Nov 24, 2005
- Messages
- 429
I have read a lot of post where people can't seem to make up their mind about joing DVC and tend to analyze things from every which way. This following story appeared today on boston.com and it basically says that when it comes to complex decisons, we tend to overload the brain with too much data and we're better off making decisions based on gut feelings.
And I agree; your gut feeling is almost always right and too much analysis leads to paralysis.
Thought for thinkers
'Follow your gut,' study advises on big decisions
Scientists have some remarkable new advice for anyone who is struggling to make a difficult decision: Stop thinking about it.
In a series of studies with shoppers and students, researchers found that people who face a decision with many considerations, such as what house to buy, often do not choose wisely if they spend a lot of time consciously weighing the pros and cons. Instead, the scientists conclude, the best strategy is to gather all of the relevant information -- such as the price, the number of bathrooms, the age of the roof -- and then put the decision out of mind for a while.
Then, when the time comes to decide, go with what feels right. ''It is much better to follow your gut," said Ap Dijksterhuis, a professor of psychology at the University of Amsterdam, who led the research.
For relatively simple decisions, he said, it is better to use the rational approach. But the conscious mind can consider only a few facts at a time. And so with complex decisions, he said, the unconscious appears to do a better job of weighing the factors and arriving at a sound conclusion.
The finding, published today in the journal Science, would have practical implications if borne out by further research.
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2006/02/17/thought_for_thinkers/?p1=MEWell_Pos3
And I agree; your gut feeling is almost always right and too much analysis leads to paralysis.
Thought for thinkers
'Follow your gut,' study advises on big decisions
Scientists have some remarkable new advice for anyone who is struggling to make a difficult decision: Stop thinking about it.
In a series of studies with shoppers and students, researchers found that people who face a decision with many considerations, such as what house to buy, often do not choose wisely if they spend a lot of time consciously weighing the pros and cons. Instead, the scientists conclude, the best strategy is to gather all of the relevant information -- such as the price, the number of bathrooms, the age of the roof -- and then put the decision out of mind for a while.
Then, when the time comes to decide, go with what feels right. ''It is much better to follow your gut," said Ap Dijksterhuis, a professor of psychology at the University of Amsterdam, who led the research.
For relatively simple decisions, he said, it is better to use the rational approach. But the conscious mind can consider only a few facts at a time. And so with complex decisions, he said, the unconscious appears to do a better job of weighing the factors and arriving at a sound conclusion.
The finding, published today in the journal Science, would have practical implications if borne out by further research.
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2006/02/17/thought_for_thinkers/?p1=MEWell_Pos3
