Blink theory, thin-slicing, micro-expressions

[starry]

I came across an interesting reading here:
http://www.wikisummaries.org/Blink:_The_Power_of_Thinking_Without_Thinking

Why do snap judgments sometimes work and sometimes not work?

 

[Darby]

This looks really cool, and I wouldn't mind reading it, I always wondered about that kind of thing.

 

[Cognisant]

So how does one learn to speak the unspoken language of the subconscious?

Does one merely listen?

 

[asmit127]

I read this book recently, it was in the library and looked interesting - it was. Seems we (humans in general) overthink everything and often we're wasting our time.

It suggested to me that snap judgements work best on things that should be obvious - if you think about rating jams (jelly in the US?) your opinion doesn't match the experts who should know whats best, but when people trusted their instincts it was much closer. We also have lots of experience meeting people and it's perfectly possible to judge someone based on first impressions (love at first sight? Why not!) but of course they could be acting so be wary on that one... As to how to listen to it you just do - if a thought hits you instantly say or act on it, you may well be right.

It's not a big book so read it if you can.

 

[Da Blob]

We have several unconscious methods for dealing with threat which are generally known as the FFF response. There are parts of our mind that are constantly on the lookout for threats and are most likely responsible for snap-decisions. However, I do not see such as really being decisions as for the most part they are conditioned habits. The concept of making a decision usually involve choosing between multiple options, such options are lacking in many snap judgments.

As far as making real decisions quickly (if necessary) I have always promoted John Boyd's O.O.D.A. loop. It is a four step problem-solving method that can be completed in a matter of a few seconds. It was designed as a combat technique for fighter pilots in the Korean War, but has been applied to numerous non-combat settings. It allows one to re-evaluate, consciously and objectively, snap-decisions quickly before action is taken.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OODA_loop