Can everything in life and work be measured in numbers and can everything be analyzed rationally so that when we have made the decision, there are no remnants of regret ? Are there ground-breaking researches that can prove the most effective method in deciding about a certain situation and taking a specific life path? Are there systematically designed processes that one can go through to ensure a tight knit decision-making road map ? Do we possess, as individuals, the autonomy to make fair and right decisions ? Are there alternatives to what we might perceive as the only right choice, and how do we decipher that in the short or long term run ?
Decisions in our lives range from trivial and simple, then to significant and complex, and to a much higher level, such as the serious and even life-threatening. According to the Hard Choice Model, decision-making has two parameters: one is related to the degree of similitude or how comparable two things or decisions are, and the second is the degree of intensity of the consequences, whether predictable or unpredictable. Inevitably, at the end of the entire process, there is a consequence, which will not only be favored or disliked by us, but will also be good or bad.
There are four categories classified as such:
1. The “No-brainer”: These are the easiest to compare because the alternative to the first or the second does not have to be perused. It is quite simple to choose one, even with an intuitive approach. Such selections play insignificant roles in our lives, so it does not matter much, which one to choose.
2. The “Apples/Oranges Choice”: This choice also belongs to the low-impact decisions that we make in our lives; yet, it is still hard to compare and pinpoint pros and cons.
3. The “Big Choice”: This is easy to designate in terms of traits and characteristics, common and different aspects. However, it is still difficult to put it into action and execute a plan. This choice has a huge impact on our lives, and thus the responsibility is more immense.
4. The “Hard Choice”: This is simply to rephrase as – no right or wrong decisions because in this case, there are opportunities that are widely open to the directives of risks and dangers, that require feedback, and even social approval in few cases.
However, the Debris?
What can impede the most effective decision-making processes that we find ourselves engaged in, or in other words, how can we synchronize all factors in our lives, so that we can make a decision, that is the least risky and the most effective simultaneously?
1. Illusions : Mainly self-illusion occurs when we are enchanted by some glamorous, desired outcomes-to-be, falling prey to some misconceptions and hidden truths. When we are also sometimes overconfident that we can control all factors, comes illusion of control. That’s when we have less influence than we think we have.
2. Skepticism : Thinking that we know so much when what we know is little. We feel bolstered by our predictions, stemming from our view of things within limited frames of our perceptions.
3. Choice Overload : Selecting an action or a thing can be time and effort consuming when there is a variety of actions and things. Barry Schwartz, an American psychologist, classifies three types of selections. The first is the large selection that leads to inner paralysis- that is, no choice made. The second is a broader selection, which is harder to choose from, leading to poor or inadequate decisions. The third is also a large selection, but it leads to dissatisfaction due to uncertainty and doubt.
4. Outcome Bias : It is the decision made as per the result visualized rather than the on decision process. Grippingly exist some external factors that randomly emerge. Besides, a negative result does not necessarily mean a bad decision, and most of the time, for the same external, potential factors, lurking behind.
5. Liking : One of the most challenging factors that affect our small communities is the "liking" effect. These are the decisions made based on our liking of a person or a thing, ignoring some fundamental elements that can threaten our decision-making action steps.
Can we always possess the intellectual and philosophical prowess to conquer challenges and predictable errors, reaching the RIGHT decision? What makes a RIGHT decision ?
Ruth Chang, a professor of philosophy and a famous speaker about hard choices and decision making, explains it perfectly:“There is no best alternative. Instead of looking for reason out there, we should be looking for reasons in here.“
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