{"id":15231,"date":"2015-09-30T02:19:55","date_gmt":"2015-09-30T02:19:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/smartrecoverybc.com\/?page_id=15231"},"modified":"2015-09-30T06:18:29","modified_gmt":"2015-09-30T06:18:29","slug":"the-pillars-of-irrationality","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/smartrecoverybc.com\/index.php\/resources\/addiction-articles-and-essays\/rational-thinking\/the-pillars-of-irrationality.html","title":{"rendered":"The Pillars of Irrationality"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Pillars of Irrationality<\/h1>\n

 <\/p>\n

1. Leaping to a decision.<\/h3>\n

Much irrationality results from simple laziness. “Jumping to a Conclusion” without taking the time to think things through. On the other hand, we all know people who analyze to excess.<\/p>\n

When the cost of additional analysis exceeds the expected loss that may be avoided by such analysis (or the expected gain to be achieved thereby), it is time to stop.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

2. Inadequate brain cache.<\/h3>\n

A human can hold only a small number of ideas in his mind at one time…… When faced with a complex decision, a decision maker must use at least elementary principles of decision theory if he is to arrive at an optimal result. Even the simple method outlined by Benjamin Franklin — writing down pros and cons in two columns on a sheet of paper — can greatly increase the probability of reaching a rational decision. More advanced techniques can be used to advantage in complex cases.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

3. Self-deception.<\/h3>\n

This well-known pillar of irrationality can be explained by reference to the principle of cognitive dissonance — the mental conflict that occurs when cherished beliefs or assumptions are contradicted by new evidence. The tension aroused by this conflict is eased by various defensive mechanisms: denial, rejection, avoidance, and so forth.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Pillars of Irrationality were suggested by a reading of Stuart Sutherland’s book Irrationality: Why We Don’t Think Straight<\/em><\/a> (Rutgers University Press, 1995). Sutherland, a Professor of Psychology at the University of Sussex, reviews the mechanisms of irrationality in the light of recent psychological research.<\/p>\n

Reprinted with permission
\nEdited for Applicability
\n\u00a9 Copyright 1995 Chuck Anesi all rights reserved<\/h5>\n
<\/h5>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"Printer-friendly page<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Pillars of Irrationality   1. Leaping to a decision. Much irrationality results from simple laziness. “Jumping to a Conclusion” without taking the time to think things through. On the other hand, we all know people who analyze to excess. 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