The illusion of correlation
Our brains are wired for pattern recognition. It’s an evolutionary trait that helped our ancestors survive (rustling grass = possible lion). Our ancestors rarely came to harm through false positives (they thought it was a lion, and it wasn’t), whereas the price for failing to recognize a link was high. Better to err on the side of caution than become lunch.
Don’t Trust the Reviews
Before I decide what to buy, I read the reviews. The more time I spend online, the more confused and frustrated I become. There is a better way. I will share with you my approach for navigating the review jungle to make better decisions. You can use the same approach to make any kind of decision at work or at home.
Dissonance, Decision-Making, and Relationships
The motivation to reduce cognitive dissonance drives much of our irrational behavior. We choose to deceive ourselves rather than admit we were wrong. Being able to recognize when we are in a state of dissonance can help us make better decisions and improve our relationships.
