How does one use 'emotion' to make decidsion?

[onesteptwostep]

Like I hear this a lot.

So I feel unhappy... what decision would that alone lead me? I mean I'd think there are external factors which would weigh in more. If I'm happy, I'm just happy. But if I'm happy and hungry, I might get some good chicken rather than cook up something at home. But happiness alone doesn't really make me do anything.

 

[Jennywocky]

Emotion leads people to make decisions all the time... sometimes good, sometimes bad. (Ever heard of "impulsive decisions"?) People like someone so they do something for them; they dislike someone so they treat them meanly or refuse them things. They hate their job, so they quit. They're depressed so they don't go outside their home. They want something, so they go get it. Yada yada yada...

It seems so obvious, I feel like I'm missing something. What are you are trying to ask?

 

[computerhxr]

There is confusion on emotion vs. thought. Emotions are not a thought process. They are an input and how you deal with them is the cognitive process.

If you look at the brain, you see that there is an emotional response shortcut. You could take the long path (through the brain), or cut across directly to the reactive part of the brain.

A quick note to illustrate what I mean...
[bimgx=500]http://i1375.photobucket.com/albums/ag448/computerhxr/emotional-response-shortcut_zps6f1ea26e.png[/bimgx]

Emotional intelligence is when you learn to use the brain rather the shortcut. However, the shortcut is great for flight-or-flight response which is triggered by movies and video games.

Both are useful when used appropriately. Neither should be neglected.

You are spending too much time in negative thought. Negative thought patterns generate negative results. Practice spending more time thinking positively, reflect on positive situations, practice positive affirmations, etc... and you will start to make better and more positive decisions and feel good about it at the same time.

 

[onesteptwostep]

Emotion leads people to make decisions all the time... sometimes good, sometimes bad. (Ever heard of "impulsive decisions"?) People like someone so they do something for them; they dislike someone so they treat them meanly or refuse them things. They hate their job, so they quit. They're depressed so they don't go outside their home. They want something, so they go get it. Yada yada yada...

It seems so obvious, I feel like I'm missing something. What are you are trying to ask?

I see where you're coming from.

But objective things comes first- like for example I usually treat everyone the same regardless of how much of an ass they are- I only would be an ass if it were to help adjust the asshole's assness. I wouldn't quit my job just because I didn't like it- I'd probably see another (better) job and cite my unhappiness as a factor, among others, for changing.

Emotion alone rarely, if not never, prods me to do anything.


@computerhxr

I get all of that except this:

You are spending too much time in negative thought. Negative thought patterns generate negative results. Practice spending more time thinking positively, reflect on positive situations, practice positive affirmations, etc... and you will start to make better and more positive decisions and feel good about it at the same time.

You're just saying, "optimism leads to more optimal results", right?

oh and btw your astrological findings... still skeptical- but nevertheless very interesting lol

 

[Cognisant]

 

[Brontosaurie]

the decision to remain passive and not engage in the world is also emotional. withdrawal stemming from fear. maybe the tendency not to act on emotions is due to a fear of having inadequate emotions. and the whole "suppress instinct with ethic principles, conquer emotions and act reasonably" thing might be just an afterthought to justify that decision based on fear.

 

[doncarlzone]

But objective things comes first- like for example I usually treat everyone the same regardless of how much of an ass they are

And how exactly do you come to that conclusion without emotions?

I wouldn't quit my job just because I didn't like it- I'd probably see another (better) job and cite my unhappiness as a factor, among others, for changing.

Can you name a non-emotional factor for changing a job?

I'll make it even easier. Name one decision a being has ever made that wasn't based on emotions or instincts.

 

[onesteptwostep]

Um, better pay? Convienent location?

 

[doncarlzone]

Um, better pay? Convienent location?

Why would you begin to consider a better salary or a better location? Point being, behind all decisions there are underlying emotional motives otherwise there would be nothing to base any decision upon.

 

[EditorOne]

Let's oversimplify: Emotions/feelings can be unpleasant or pleasant. The tendency is to make decisions that produce pleasant emotions. That can be tempered in many ways - you might decide it's worth being miserable because you work extra hours but you do it because your family will benefit, so there's pleasantness at one remove.

To look at it another way: We may be INTP, but our emotions still affect our behavior. How many of us tend to aloofness and distance because past close relationships collapsed, causing emotional grief? We're avoiding emotional pain. That might not be a conscious decision, but it is a choice or preference informed by emotion. Or choosing silence to avoid being thought odd because nobody in the group can ever see the dots you're connecting with a comment? Neither situation would seem to be the wisest course, but that's where "we're not all that good with emotions" comes into play. Someone more deft with emotions might stop short of permanent unapproachability after a bad experience, or learn to preface comments with some bridging remarks to avoid triggering the "what the hell is he talking about?" results of tossing out what everyone thinks is a nonsequitor.

We might tell ourselves we're being dispassionate and merely checking of a list of facts when making decisions, but somewhere in there emotion is involved, usually in deciding what's going to be on the list.

 

[Fukyo]

You don't notice it because it's so instinctual.

Every time you make a decision which draws upon preference (what you'll eat, color of your clothes, what film you'll watch) you're making decision based on emotion. Every time you get a scoop of ice cream, or stay an extra 10 minutes in bed, or desire to speak or not speak to a particular person you're making a decision based on emotion.

Being happy or unhappy can act as deeper motivators for decisions in ways that may not be immediately obvious. For example feeling good (being happy) can prompt a person to take more risks and make more adventurous decisions, whereas being unhappy can make them do the opposite.

 

[Jennywocky]

I think from experience that a lot of indecision of INTP stems from our discounting of personal preferences (likes/dislikes) because they aren't "rational." Unfortunately, desire drives behavior; if we don't figure out how to recognize our emotional states/preferences, then we're essentially unable to choose in situations that are not based purely on logic; we're trapped in passive staticness.

I don't think I really consciously recognized preferences and accepted they were okay until my 30's or so. My cycles of indecision improved notably after that.

But objective things comes first- like for example I usually treat everyone the same regardless of how much of an ass they are- I only would be an ass if it were to help adjust the asshole's assness.

Yeah, I'm the same way. Before, I used to not feel much at all towards people; now I recognize (sometimes) strong feelings of like or dislike, yet I still try to treat people the same. I help people who need help regardless, I talk or don't talk to people regardless (not based on social status or friendship or whatever -- I typically have friends from all social groups if I connect with them), etc. but like you said, sometimes I'll reflect someone's behavior back at them if I feel that's a fair and realistic thing to do. It's a very conscious thought-directed process, not primarily driven by emotion.

I wouldn't quit my job just because I didn't like it- I'd probably see another (better) job and cite my unhappiness as a factor, among others, for changing.

Yeah. So unhappiness does play a factor, but the thing is -- why are those items prioritized over different ones? What makes the job "better" in the first place? "Better" is a subjective term in regards to what criteria appeal to you personally. For one person, "better" means the job has a higher pay; for another, it might be more flexible in hours; for another, maybe it gives them more power over staff; etc. It's still generated from personal preferences and what contributes to your sense of security and happiness.

Emotion alone rarely, if not never, prods me to do anything.

Yes, I think it's more common for other types to overtly respond from a purely emotional basis.

I think for me the delineating factor is that, when I make a decision primarily on emotion, afterwards I feel unsure of myself, or guilty, or stupid, or some other negative aspect -- I don't "trust" the decision if there is not some rational underpinning to it.

 

[RandomGeneratedName]

What Jenny said.

and to add: Whatever emotion or feeling you're experiencing at a time you start to recall a memory, it can also influence how you see the memory, even alter it slightly.



NLP