The Certainty Bias

2nd May 2011 | Comments Off on The Certainty Bias The Certainty Bias A unbelievable interview with neurologist Robert Burton highlights the mind’s Certainty Bias. The mind evolved to help us make sense of the world round us, because with out that understanding it’s fairly onerous to know the way to act. Not lots of our ancestors had time to make a listing of execs and cons earlier than making necessary choices. But in today’s context the thoughts’s pull for certainty has completely different penalties. The mind likes good, uncomplicated beliefs which may help us make sense of a scenario. Yet these beliefs typically go away us trapped by our own perceptions: “I should get this right”. For important events and choices, our mind will tell us how important it is to get this right. Yet the thoughts might be far slower to establish what ‘proper’ is. The unspoken assumption is that proper is ideal. Perfection is difficult to realize… so procrastination ensues. “I need to know the probably outcome / if I can cope before I begin” The thou ghts likes to dictate phrases and the terms are â€" no movement in direction of a brand new project except certainty is assured! The bother is that this often stops us from taking motion on the issues we value most. Result: the mind’s goal might be achieved…by doing nothing. “I need to have all my issues around me / full silence / the right folks to work successfully” The bother is we hardly ever get the ‘proper’ surroundings. Deep down we all know this and that we have to begin right now â€" even whether it is with the incorrect pen. “If I was good at doing this it might be simpler / life is about enjoyment” The nice happiness myth! The downside is life isn’t meant to be gratifying within the sense that we must always take pleasure in each second. Our most fulfilling moments weren’t preceded by feeling good â€" much more typically they had been preceded by essentially the most dreadful doubt and concern. Our intolerance of ambiguity keeps us stuck â€" which ulti mately makes us depressing. So what can we do about it? As Burton acknowledges, an important thing with such ideas is to recognise them. After all, you do not need “the best result” so much as you might be having the thought that you simply want it. Even recognising this as only a thought â€" not actuality â€" is efficient. Once you’ve seen your ideas, deliver your attention back to your behaviour. The thoughts often leaves behaviour unspecified, because perfection is extra sure than an imperfect first step. This makes objective hard to seek out. So attempt to counteract this by getting particular about what it's you will do: Career Change « How to Work With Values... Ken Robinson and The Element (... »