Comments on: Are You Rationalizing Your Decisions?

By: Calvin

Calvin — Fri, 22 May 2009 08:28:27 +0000

Hey Vlad, great post. I agree with a lot of what you are saying. it is important to realize how much emotions actually do influence our decision-making. This did make me think of some evidence showing that in some cases where unconscious decision-making may be better than conscious (rational) decision-making processes. In Dijksterhuis et al. (Science, 2005), they showed that when subjects used an unconscious decision-making strategy or a conscious strategy to decide which car to buy. The unconscious strategy worked better when 12 attributes were considered, while conscious strategy worked better when only 4 attributes were considered. This suggests that some unconscious processes that help us make decisions may be better for some complex decisions. This sounds like it may have applications in places like medicine, where very complex decisions are made with many variables involved.

By: Why Leaving Things Until The Last Moment Isn’t Always Bad | Fun Life Development

Wed, 06 May 2009 17:58:22 +0000

[...] one way that happens is rationalizing your decisions. Sometimes you make a decision based on a flood of emotions, and then later make up rational [...]

By: The Pain and Pleasure Principle | An Amazing Mind

The Pain and Pleasure Principle | An Amazing Mind — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 13:23:17 +0000

[...] I put forward in this post, as well as some concepts from another two posts I wrote recently – Are you rationalizing your decisions? and How to conquer [...]

By: 3 Practical Steps For Controlling Your Negative Self-Talk - Practical advice on personal development, productivity and GTD

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 16:45:31 +0000

[...] become aware when you think negatively, and understand what triggers it, in the third week you now rationalize it. Most negative self-talk is by it’s nature irrational. Let’s face it, if you mess up [...]

By: Cannibalistic Lipstick

Cannibalistic Lipstick — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 21:53:23 +0000

You might be interested in some of David Hume’s philosophy. He makes a very similar argument.

By: elizabethb

elizabethb — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 11:05:34 +0000

Actually while reading this excellent article I worked out that this could be applied to relationships as well. (Typical woman you might say, given your comment about shoes in the article).

My choice of partner was made by the fact that at one point I wanted him. Other people may have had reservations about whether he was entirely the right person for me but I was able to rationalise any doubts I might have. We are now divorced (well, nearly) and reading a book about selecting the right person to be with, the book lists various character and situation problems that can cause major stress and indicate that two people are not right together. Many of these situational problems were present in our relationship even before we were married.

If I had sat down and thought ‘do any of these problems apply to our relationship and do I want any of these problems’ then the desire not to have those problems might have overridden the desire to be with him (or just to be with somebody permanently).

Too often I think people stick together because at one point they wanted the other person and rationalise why they are sticking with them.

PS I’m not encouraging everybody to divorce – firstly what I say applies to people who are not yet married as well as those who are married and secondly (unlike with material possessions) if the emotional desire has gone then the nature of a relationship with another human being means that either person can attempt measures that will bring back that desire.

Sorry for the long post and hope it makes sense

By: J.D. Meier

J.D. Meier — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 08:23:37 +0000

So true.

I remember Edward de Bono pointing out that we first make an emotional decision and then we find information to support our points.

de Bono created a PMI technique (plus points, minus points and interesting points) to force a broader perspective before making a decision.

By: Mykhailo Poliarush

Mykhailo Poliarush — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 06:24:25 +0000

Hi,

Great article. I fully agree that most people do their decision based on emotions. I took a look around my family and made a conclusion 4 persons my family are doing emotion-based decisions. Except mam She is really wise woman.

I think, the sooner you understand and accept reality the better you will learn yourself. Furthermore, you may have freedom and choice to take actions upon yourself instead of actions that rule your life.

Thanks,
Mykhailo Poliarush

By: Inside Network Redux » Blog Archive » Links for January 22nd, 2009

Inside Network Redux » Blog Archive » Links for January 22nd, 2009 — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 02:43:36 +0000

[...] Are You Rationalizing Your Decisions [...]

By: Stephen Martile

Stephen Martile — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 22:11:55 +0000

Hey Vlad –

I get what you’re saying and it makes sense. Conditioning and creating new habits will ultimately rewire our subconscious minds so we can respond instead of react to circumstances or conditions.

Instead of being the Pavlov’s Dog and reacting with high emotions, we’re actually responding with intentionally created programming.

Good talks – and thanks for answering the question