Human Error – Simple Thinking Mistakes We Make
By: Steve Gillman
Introductory comments by Royane Real
Author of: How You Can Be Smarter - Use Your Brain to Learn Faster, Remember Better and Be More Creative
The following article by author Steve Gillman addresses one of the most common failings that we humans make when we try to use our brains. In spite of how smart we are compared to every other creature on this planet, human beings often make mistakes in the way that we think.
Instead of thinking logically, we often over-generalize and we jump to conclusions based on very little evidence. We often confuse cause and effect.
Once we have made a snap decision, we tend to stick to it emotionally, no matter how strong the evidence might be that perhaps we are wrong.
Why do humans so often make errors in the way we think?
Many of the mistakes we make while thinking are a result of the way our brains are programmed. It is actually much easier for our brains to jump to conclusions instead of taking a long time to think over an issue from many angles.
For humans to learn to think clearly and deeply actually takes training and practice. Thinking clearly does not come to us automatically. We have to be educated on how to think clearly and logically.
Our brains are actually programmed to make snap decisions on very little evidence.
Our brain’s tendency to make snap decisions often came in handy when our ancestors were facing some sort of sudden crisis. If one of our ancestors saw a dark shadowy shape moving in the dark, or heard a suspicious noise, it was better for him to become alarmed and run away quickly. He couldn’t afford to sit down and think it over logically.
Today we live in a world where we need to overcome some of our brain’s tendency to jump to conclusions. Today we often face situations that are very complex and require long term solutions. .
To deal with the issues that arise in the world today, we need to have a lot of education. We need to know how to evaluate evidence and come to an effective conclusion. We can’t afford to get sloppy with our thinking.
That means that it’s a good idea to try think more clearly and logically whenever we can.
( The above introductory comments were written by Royane Real. Learn more ways to get the most out of your brain power in her popular ebook : "How You Can Be Smarter - Use Your Brain to Learn Faster, Remember Better and Be More Creative” You can download it from: http://www.lulu.com/real )
Feature article:
Human Error – Simple Thinking Mistakes We Make
By Steve Gillman
Human error is often just a matter of thinking errors. These can include equating correlation with causation, over-generalization, and even under-generalization. To avoid making errors in your thinking, it can help to get in the habit of asking a few important questions. Start with the following.
Do I have enough information to make a decision here?
Over-estimating our knowledge is a common human error. After a few weeks study, we think we are ready to pick stocks to invest in, for example, when even those who have studied this area for years typically under-perform the market.
Am I over-generalizing here?
It may be true that avoiding debt is a good general rule. Avoid debt when going into business, though, and your business may fail before it can grow large enough to provide a livable income for you.
Am I under-generalizing?
We need to generalize. If I didn't have the general rule that "most email offers are junk," I would have to spend hours daily analyzing the merits of the various offers.
Are my emotions involved in this thinking process?
Emotions need to be involved at times, if for nothing more than motivation. To think clearly, though, you need to identify when emotions are pushing you - and in what direction. Anger might lead an article writer to waste time on a petty violation of a copyright, for example, when his time would be better spent writing something new.
What labels are involved, and how are they affecting my thinking?
You have to use words, but they come with their problems too. Thinking of someone as a "liberal" or "conservative" might cause you to miss the value in their arguments, due to the preconceived notions you have about people with these labels.
Am I applying the same rules to myself and others?
Double-standards are so common because they are so subtle in their development. A man thinks of those who are using illegal drugs as different, so it never occurs to him that his wine is a drug as well. He excuses this attitude by pointing out the legality, while never asking himself whether he would really give up cigarettes, alcohol or caffeine if they were made illegal.
Am I confusing correlation and causation?
Even scientists make this mistake regularly. Americans with higher salt intake are more likely to have high blood pressure - that is correlation. It does not mean that salt causes high blood pressure.
If that were the case, the problem would be epidemic in Japan , where they eat several times more salt than in America . They also have a low incidence of high blood pressure.
This last thinking error can even lead us towards racist feelings and ideas, simply because we see a higher incidence of some behavior in a given population. Seeing correlation as meaning causation is one of the toughest errors to overcome, but all thinking errors can damage our ability to analyze things and make rational decisions.
The first thing to do to prevent this "human error" is to identify our own mistaken ways of thinking.
Copyright Steve Gillman. For more on How To Increase Brain Power, and to get the Brain Power Newsletter and other free gifts, visit: http://www.IncreaseBrainPower.com
Article source: http://www.999Articles.com
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