Ask These 6 Questions to Make Rational Decisions

Article by Cecilia Meis

People accidentally swallow eight spiders every year in their sleep. Although debunked numerous times, this myth remains the most widely circulated "fact" of the 21st century, according to the National Institute of Arachnological Research.

Did you believe me? Because I just lied to you.

Proving such a statement would be tedious. Also, a quick internet search would reveal that the National Institute of Arachnological Research doesn't exist.

Why do myths persist despite published research proving their opposites? Because somewhere in your memory, you've stored something that sounds familiar. It might have been a sibling trying to scare you. You might have a mild spider phobia. You might have read it in a 1993 article by Lisa Holst, who, ironically, was trying to demonstrate why people readily accept "facts" shared through email chains. The myth triggers an emotional rather than a skeptical response.

It can be dangerous to rely on your gut, or what psychologist Daniel Kahneman calls "System 1" thinking: automatic judgments that stem from associations stored in the memory. This type of thinking develops over time as people attempt to make sense of seemingly random events that occur around them. The more we make sense of our environments, the more control – or perceived control – we have over our lives.

But our guts can lead us astray. Our biases can drive us to focus on the wrong information or seek information that matches rather than challenges what we already believe.

To build your rational-thinking skills, ask yourself these questions:

1. What Would I Say to a Friend?

Create space between your thoughts and feelings. You can do that by pretending to give advice to a friend, which allows your brain to switch from rumination to problem-solving. The more highly charged the situation, the more you need to separate yourself from your momentary feelings. Recent studies have found that journaling in the third person allows you to evaluate yourself and your situations more clearly and thoughtfully.

2. What Are Three Possible Outcomes?

Uncertainty is terrifying. It's easier and less stressful to imagine a single outcome, so we do. Instead, researchers say you should imagine multiple outcomes to improve your accuracy and logical thinking.

If you're imagining the possible success of your business in five years, come up with three figures that predict your level of success: high, medium, and low. Your high and low numbers should be improbable but not unrealistic. This approach helps you avoid being blindsided by extremes on either end by planing for their possibility.

3. What Is the Counterargument to This Decision or Belief?

We like to be right. We like for others to agree with our decisions or beliefs. However, when we think with our System 1 minds, we're often blind to other options or perspectives. Use the following tips to frame counterarguments that will help you assess your position more rationally:

- Be generous in your research and genuinely thoughtful when building a counterargument.

- Shift your motive from "winning" to "gaining value." Julia Galef, cofounder of the Center for Applied Rationality, says this allows her to imagine a scenario where she never loses, because one of her options will likely help her succeed.

- List the points of agreement between both arguments.

- Compare both arguments side by side, as if someone else wrote them.

Shifting your mindset to someone else's view isn't easy. Galef advises using mindfulness techniques to identify when your emotions are running high – particularly when someone is challenging your beliefs. Focus on seeking the truth rather than on winning.

4. Why Am I Attached to This Decision or Belief?

People often cling to irrational beliefs because they're attached to their identities. Maybe your spouse says an alternate route is faster than the one you've always taken. You overreact, maybe because you think your spouse is insulting your intelligence. Researchers say your sense of self-worth is a significant factor in rational thinking.

One study found that when people feel positively about themselves, they're more likely to accept uncomfortable facts. Before looking at information that challenges your beliefs, write down your top three qualities and recall examples of each. Explain your reaction so your spouse knows how to better present alternatives in the future.

5. Is This Too Good to Be True?

Your mom was right: Information that sounds too good to be true often is. Generic or flowery language can cover factual inconsistencies.

For example, Colgate found trouble after claiming more than 80 percent of dentists recommended its brand. What the company failed to mention was that those dentists recommended Colgate along with other brands.

Pay special attention to the words a claim uses – "recommended" versus "preferred," for example. Also watch for averages without context and whether a claim seems completely one-sided. If it feels too good (or bad), it probably is, so dig a little deeper.

6. Is This Harmful?

Seeking truth is important, but so is knowing when you shouldn't waste your time challenging meaningless falsehoods.

For example, during a casual conversation at a networking event, someone might tell you they hold the record for the most hot dogs eaten in 10 minutes in the state of Georgia. Before you whip out your best "according to" voice, ask yourself if this lie is harmful. The claim, though potentially false, doesn't affect anyone except Georgia's actual hot-dog-eating champion, but only if that winner is relying on sponsorship funding from people at the same networking event.

If you're planning to work with this person, maybe you should determine whether they're a compulsive liar. Otherwise, smile, nod and politely exit the conversation.

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Rational thinking requires removing emotional responses, checking biases, and considering other options before trying to convince your grandmother that she's eaten 680 spiders in her life.

By the way, according to Bill Shear, former president of the American Arachnological Society, "Spiders regard us much like they'd regard a big rock." It looks like you're safe.

Look it up if you don't believe me.

Versions of this article originally appeared on SUCCESS.com and in the October 2017 issue of SUCCESS Magazine.

Cecilia Meis is the integrated content editor for SUCCESS magazine and SUCCESS.com. She recently earned a bachelor's degree from the Missouri School of Journalism. A Kansas City native, Cecilia enjoys sand volleyball, new stationery, and a heaping plate of burnt ends.