{"id":821,"date":"2018-07-07T11:26:29","date_gmt":"2018-07-07T11:26:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bloomsoup.com\/?p=821"},"modified":"2023-05-24T12:12:43","modified_gmt":"2023-05-24T12:12:43","slug":"types-of-decision-making","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bloomsoup.com\/types-of-decision-making\/","title":{"rendered":"Types of Decision Making (and How to Make Better Choices)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Do the simplest decisions bring you out in a cold sweat?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, you may be paralysed by indecision when ordering at a restaurant or overwhelmed when asked by friends where to meet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a chronic indecisive, it’s important to know what decisions are and how you can befriend them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this guide, we’ll explore the topic, along with ways to make better choices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is Decision Making?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Decision making<\/a> is the cognitive process used to make a selection from various potential courses of action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And in academic lingo:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

“The learned habitual response pattern exhibited by an individual when confronted with a decision situation.”<\/span> Scott and Bruce, 1995<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

According to experts, it’s not a personality trait, but a habit based reaction, to react in a certain way in a specific context.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That’s good. It means if we’re poor decision makers, we can change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is a suggestion that your values affect your decision making and choices, and changes in one may lead to changes in the other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You’ll see how this can help improve your decision making<\/a> below…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Science Behind Decision Making<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"how<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Decision making is highly linked with emotion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Neuroscientist, Dr. Antonio Damasio<\/a>, demonstrated how damage to the emotion producing area of the brain causes indecision paralysis with even the most basic choices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just look at savvy marketers, who tout their wares with benefits rather than features.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They tap into your emotions and encourage you to make the decision to buy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Damasio also showed that intuition, derived from emotional memories, is involved heavily in the process…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that it’s concealed from conscious awareness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, let’s look at the common types of decision making…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Types of Decision Making<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

According to Myers Briggs, your decision-making style depends on how you assess information and perceive the world around you, in what’s called your cognitive style.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So let’s check them out…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rational<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is one of the more common types of decision maker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It involves a logical, sequential model of thought. You list the alternatives to decide on the best option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s a method which favours objectivity over insight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You’re adept at assessing the pros and cons of the situation, although it’s a model which assumes all the information is readily available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s mainly performed by the logical, left side of the brain…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which likes structure, order and reason.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Intuitive<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is where you dispense with the logical rationale and decide to use intuition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You know…the gut feeling, where it either feels right or it doesn’t.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These moments appear common after a period of intense concentration on a decision…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which may be the result of alternating between focused and diffuse thinking<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You subconscious kicks in and magically provides an answer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s a type of decision making that may be made in the absence of important information…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Or be susceptible to emotional corruption.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dependant<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You have to consult other people before you make an important decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It may be regarded as a diplomatic choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Or a way to gather facts that may contribute to the decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It could also be a decision avoidance technique; a way of going with the flow to absolve yourself of the responsibility and outcome of the decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Avoidant<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As the name implies, you avoid making a decision until the pressure is really on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It functions a little like procrastination in this way and has been linked to social anxiety disorder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this way, it’s linked to the dependent decision-making style outlined above.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spontaneous<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is characterised by a sense of immediacy and desire to make a decision as quickly as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even if the facts aren’t available, spontaneous decision makers frequently pull the trigger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the decision may be made in haste, often these decision makers don’t regret their choices…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Possibly because they’re not as conscious during the decision making process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Decision Support Systems<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you’re paranoid like me, this is where you tell everyone that machines will one day take over the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Decision support systems rely on computers to crunch information and provide alternative options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With more variables to consider, especially in an organisational setting, these algorithms can be useful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the computer is only as good as the information it’s fed…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So you still need a human calling the shots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recognition Primed Decision Making<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is a combination of rational and intuitive decision making and relies on pattern recognition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Experts suggest that we absorb information from our environment, before playing the scenario out in a mental picture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If it goes to plan, we’re more likely to select that option. If not, we choose another and rehearse that…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s thought that this is one of the more effective approaches to decision making and is a technique which has been adopted by the military.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As you gain more experience, you develop improved pattern recognition and can make more effective choices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other Types of Choices and Decision Makers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\"man<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Directive<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Rational and autocratic style of decision making, where you use your own knowledge, skills and judgement to choose the best option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Often these decision makers are quick to act, even though they may not possess all the necessary information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They think mostly about the short-term benefit as opposed to long-term gain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rarely do you have all the information to make a reasoned decision and often you don’t seek outside help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conceptual<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The conceptual method employs a more artistic, creative approach to decision making.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s focused more on long-term results and the big picture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The problem that’s presented may be complex or uncertain, in which case this technique works well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Often a conceptual thinker brainstorms lots of alternatives and is a bigger risk taker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Analytical<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The analytical decision maker is innovative and likes to crunch a large amount of data when making choices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Therefore this method works well with complex problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An analytical problem likes to be very involved and hands on the process, assessing the decision through observation and data derived facts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because of that, it can be a slow process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Behavioural<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The behavioural decision maker works well in team situations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You’re often a persuasive talker and good at aligning the team’s beliefs with your own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You’re adept a conflict resolution and can negotiate decisions that suit everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4 Cognitive Biases That Affect Decision Making<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\"deciding<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Self Serving Bias:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

We attribute any success to ourselves and blame any failure on an external situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If we charm people, we think we have a charming personality. If we get rejected, it’s because they’re crazy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bias protects our self-esteem, but it can also prevent us learning from past events, which could aid decision making in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Research shows that when you’re with good friends, self-serving bias disappears.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cognitive Fluency:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This bias states that if something is easier to understand, it’s more easily believed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If something sounds good, people have more confidence in it and believe it to be true.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This includes how simple ideas are to understand and even if words sound catchy or rhyme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sunk Cost Fallacy:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Aversion to loss means that you continue with a task, idea or project even when it’s a lost cause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You worry about the money or time you’ve invested.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take a bad relationship for example. You’re unwilling to break up with your partner because you’ve spent so long together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, by persisting with the situation, you invest more resources…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This type of cognitive bias can often affect decision making negatively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Confirmation Bias:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You only consider evidence that confirms your existing beliefs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The way a potential decision is framed can change your approach to the problem, depending on the evidence you select to support your choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To counter confirmation bias, you must actively consider contradictory evidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you think something’s a good choice, first seek out contradictory information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, if you’re wondering whether to try homoeopathy and believe in it as a treatment…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Seek contradictory information before making a final choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I highly recommend you read Predictably Irrational<\/a> by Dan Ariely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other Factors That Prevent Effective Decision Making<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

– Not enough information
– Too much information
– Too many people
– Vested interests
– Emotional attachment<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Make Better Choices<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Your personal values affect your decision making.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consider your values when weighing your options and you can improve the choices you make…check out the video below…<\/p>\n\n\n\n