Abstract: Blink has highlighted thinking power of our unconscious mind in making far quicker decisions than deliberate or analytic decisions and at times, even better decisions. This adaptive unconscious thought occurs based on inputs from our internal super-computer which is continuously processing real life data for our reflexes and snap judgment. This type of intuitive decision making is a departure from sequential processing and quantitative / analytical decision making. In our daily life, we keep switching between conscious and unconscious mode of thinking and it is our inner feeling or gut judgment which saves us from many risky situations.Malcolm Gladwell has emphasized that unconscious decision making capability is integral to the human thinking process and it can be cultivated / enhanced by any one through sincere efforts. He has brought out how little bit of information is sufficient for decision making rather than applying time consuming series of analytical tools like computer simulation, war-gaming and statistical methods. With the help of research on unconscious mind carried out by leading professionals, the author has established the relevance of intuitive decision making for various scenario - human relationship like dating , stability in married life , interviewing techniques , coaching sport persons, stock trader?s profit booking , client identification by attorney, customer mapping by marketing managers, patient?s likes/ dislikes for doctors, student?s impression about teaching faculty, selecting business partners , public choice for political leaders or product brand (Coca vs. Pepsi) or Army General?s ability to quickly discern battlefield situation and predict enemy?s next maneuver. These types of scenario need both intuition and professional expertise. The author takes us through various case studies and experiments carried out by renowned psycbhologists. Theory of ?Thin Slices? or ?Power of the glance? explains how little bit of knowledge about a person, or an object or just a glance at a place helps in making quick and right decision about their future behavior or significance. At times, a well structured questionnaire can measure most people across five dimensions ? Extraversion, Agreeableness, Consciousness, Emotional stability, Openness to new experiences rather than conducting long interviews. In a most expensive war-game ? Millennium Challenge 02? conducted by Pentagon in spring 2002` , US forces were provided unprecedented amount of real-time information and intelligence about the battlefield , unlimited arsenal, proven methodology and support of most sophisticated technology available on earth . On the other hand, the enemy (Role played) had far inferior resources, yet by having judicious balance between deliberate planning , instinctive thinking , they could launch preemptive strike and inflict very heavy casualties on US forces. The lessons learnt are not to have mind set , look at a situation holistically and break up complex problem into simpler elements where snap judgment can work. It was established that traders from Wall Street Stock market and Generals of US Army have near similar reflexes when they are confronted with live situation. The only difference is one group bets on money to increase his wealth and the other bet on lives. They all can make thousand split?second decisions an hour. Human beings unconsciously develop a particular style / idiosyncrasy which help in predicting their future response. A successful CEO, trader, politician , businessman , salesman, Army General, sportsperson , celebrity can be easily associated with facts like their body size , skin color, dress code , body language ,verbal expression to make quick decision about them. However, if we prejudge the people we will lose sight of great people like Nelson Mandela, King Martin Luther. Gladwell highlights technique of mind / face reading for making snap decisionsabout people but also guards against common mistakes which could create bias in judging their motivation and intentions. If we are to improve our quality and speed of decision making for more successful and happy life in any filed, we need to recognize mysterious nature of our snap judgment and balance it with deliberate decision when ever time permits.
By Dr Sarbjit Singh Ph D
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