Have you ever pondered what is the science behind quality decision-making?
New research has confirmed certain things such as our own bias, bad habits or lacking impulse control can lead to poor decisions and bad outcomes. Most of us learned this by trial and error as teenagers or young adults, for better or worse (gasp). Using different strategies, getting a bit uncomfortable can lead to better outcomes when making important and impactful decisions that can lead to more harmony, more joy, better results.
One of my favorite resources for the brain and thinking is reviewing Dr. Murray Bowen, a well- respected professor of psychiatry and known for the Bowen family systems theory. According to his research on how humans think, a “superior life course”, according to this theory, is more centered on thinking, opposed to valuing your feelings which is tied to constant ebbs and flows.
Human’s decision-making is best when we use our critical thinking skills, facts and observation instead of what people “feel” or what outside influences such as family, siblings, neighbors and or friends think about something. Many times outside voices, unsolicited opinion or advice can be tied to feelings and be shortsighted.
Dr. Murray Bowen’s theory of the “thinking systems” is based on retraining the brain, a different perspective of thinking compared to thinking or making decisions on “cause and effect”, an overly simplified way of looking at how the relationship of action and consequences are quantified or connected.
An alternative is looking at the bigger picture with challenging decisions, conscious of various variables, an awareness of our blind spots, and tied more to the wisdom you have gained. To simplify, using more fact-based research over your feelings of comfort at the current present time.
New research confirms that looking inward with what you value, tied to your bias views is something to be aware of. Feeling more comfortable with inward thinking over outward thinking and looking outside yourself from different perspectives is a strategy when looking at the psychology behind our decision making.
What Type of Problem Solver Are You?
There is a fun test you can take by The AREA Method, that quantifies what type of decision maker you are and profiling it with certain strengths and weaknesses, blind spots you may have. You can use this assessment link here, https://app.areamethod.com and it asks you about ten questions (need to sign up for free) and it gives you the types of habits you might have when making decisions.
These profiles are broken down to: Adventurer, Detective, Listener, Thinker and Visionary. Taking this assessment can help you so you can be more aware of your profile and lean into your strengths when making decisions, and being alert to your blind spots, your weaknesses.
I took the test and was profiled as a “Visionary”. Visionaries tend to be too much of an optimist, a creative spirit or a lone wolf at times which falls into specific blind spots, certain traits one would not be aware of when making important and impactful decisions.
Balancing Act - Thinking Strategy Vs. Emotions
One of the concepts of Dr. Murray is the Differentiation of Self, which is based on how people think, how they feel and how they act and how outside influences via groups and families affect our thinking. This can be a double-edged sword. In many cases, the more influence from others, the more acceptance or approval you seek, which has a great effect on how you think and your decision-making. The contrast of this is being too much of a lone wolf, an extreme rebel, opposed to what others think is poorly differentiated as well, too rigid, too extreme.
The goal is being well-differentiated where “self” has awareness. The need to be dependent of others but is able to not have too much interference when having to make tough decisions. One should lean on their own critical thinking skills, thorough research based on facts and stays patient and calm, less emotional, leaning on tried and true principles with decision-making.
Psychology of Color - A Tool for Decision-Making
A useful tool to stay away from extreme views when making tough decisions is by using colors. Giving a meaning to colors can aid with decision-making as a helpful strategy, assisting with finding the middle ground, managing your fears or worries by using the psychology of color.
Having a greater understanding of colors and labeling them as “emotions,” not leading with them, assigning each emotion a color can be helpful and a good pausing technique to slow things down and process your hurtful emotions. This will also allow you to separate these emotions from you. An example, using the London Image Institute as a resource, assigning the color red with anger or fear. The color orange many times can be tied to creativity and yellow is tied to being hopeful.
Imagining the color of blue could assist with your peace and trust in yourself when making decisions after pausing, mediating and researching. By having a conversation with a trustworthy partner or friend and thinking things through, staying true to your principles.
Visualizing a soft green color is connected to harmony and stability. Separating critical thinking from harsh feelings attached to certain bright colors and or hurtful emotions, certain hues of colors can aid with healthy decision making.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the goal when looking at decisions and our blind spots, is reaching for a higher ground, a high level of functioning which leads to better functioning, less stress, less emotion-based decisions. In short, using more facts with better wellness and better outcomes.
Of course, it needs to be noted pain and suffering is part of living and growing. We all can learn from our past and get uncomfortable at times, ruminate on key principles, and prosper with a better thinking systems theory, leading to better decision-making.
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