Ego, and the making of decisions

[99call]

This relates to a piece I heard of the radio a couple of years ago, that I found fascinating, and make you question yourself, or it did me.

It focused on a member of the armed forces who I believe was in charge of deploying patriot style missiles to incoming threats on a naval carrier. In short what happened was there were two radar signatures that have been found to be troublingly similar. One was an incoming enemy missile, and the other was a friendly aircraft as is transitioned from land to sea.

(Now at this point, its been a long time since I heard the radio show, so I cant be concrete on the detail, but i think the base study is pretty concrete) feel free to correct, if its cot quite right.

Basically what happened, was that the naval officer had deployed the missile, and was correct, in ascertaining the incoming radar signature to be an enemy threat, and not a friendly aircraft. However his superiors were furious with him, as they wanted to know how, and why he was 100% sure??

The study suggested that we, as humans (in differing degrees) have a natural dopiat release, that occurs when we make instantaneous decisions. In that fraction of a moment the study suggested we are elated, and filled with a strong 'happy' conviction that we are right, and that your following actions usually back up the notion, 'we are right'.

Now I've experienced a few boss's that are almost maniacal in their behaviour, and almost obsessive conviction they are correct and there is no other opinion, or body of thought, that is worth a toss. Up until hearing that radio show, I just assumed they were Ego fuelled, arrogant d*cks, but in considering the outcomes of the study, when I considered the perception of them as drug addicts, and were actually getting high on their own autonomy, it actually made a great deal of sense. 

I would be interested to know what you guys think? have you made crucial decisions in a haze, felt very good about it, but then not really know why you were so sure, or didnt take a moment to think?

 

[soutso]

I only get this feeling when I gamble. I get all the feelings you describe but sadly, I'm usually incorrect. 

[99call]

8 minutes ago, soutso said:

I only get this feeling when I gamble. I get all the feelings you describe but sadly, I'm usually incorrect. 

Yeah, it's been years since I had a flutter, but I would have to agree, I reckon the same thing is going on. Quite unfortunately studies have suggested, gamblers get the same buzz from endophines when the win and when they lose. Goes to show, how difficult it can be to get away from

[Stogieninja]

I think my body releases the happy chemicals when a decision is made and over and done with, whether I'm right or wrong. Just having the decision over with is what counts for me.

[99call]

1 minute ago, Stogieninja said:

I think my body releases the happy chemicals when a decision is made and over and done with, whether I'm right or wrong. Just having the decision over with is what counts for me.

I think this sums up how I am also. I see the situation in front of me, am an racked with pressure to quickly assess all the angles as quick as I can, and the happiness only arrives, once the decision is done and out of the way.    Although Im not sure if this qualifies as just a basic sense of relief, as opposed to the self secreted dopiate highs to go on to covert the making of decisions.

[Williamos]

Very interesting post. I think a different part of the brain is activated for these different kinds of decisions. The more life-or-death the situation the more impulsive the response, necessarily so. This is where proper training for those involved in these sorts of scenarios is so crucial - deliberation is minimised when an immediate response is required - and the muscle memory of good training largely takes over. This is instinct and is largely governed by a whopping dump of adrenaline into the bloodstream: fight, flight or freeze. Adrenaline has a half-life of just two minutes, but the ramifications of a decision made under its influence can last forever. One of the peculiar effects of a huge adrenaline input is the clarity of people's actions in that moment. People can do extraordinarily things but have little recollection of it later on.

Alternatively, for those situations where more time is available, and a considered response is called for, look for a person who can hold multiple opinions in their mind without feeling their own is under threat. I feel a good decision maker accepts the best idea, irrespective of where it comes from. In this regard I've noticed that women perform much better than men.

If you have the luxury of time, an important decision is best made after a good night's sleep. I've made impulsive decisions that have worked out but also many that have failed (and would have benefited from more careful consideration.)


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[99call]

38 minutes ago, Williamos said:

Very interesting post. I think a different part of the brain is activated for these different kinds of decisions. The more life-or-death the situation the more impulsive the response, necessarily so. This is where proper training for those involved in these sorts of scenarios is so crucial - deliberation is minimised when an immediate response is required - and the muscle memory of good training largely takes over. This is instinct and is largely governed by a whopping dump of adrenaline into the bloodstream: fight, flight or freeze. Adrenaline has a half-life of just two minutes, but the ramifications of a decision made under its influence can last forever. One of the peculiar effects of a huge adrenaline input is the clarity of people's actions in that moment. People can do extraordinarily things but have little recollection of it later on.

Alternatively, for those situations where more time is available, and a considered response is called for, look for a person who can hold multiple opinions in their mind without feeling their own is under threat. I feel a good decision maker accepts the best idea, irrespective of where it comes from. In this regard I've noticed that women perform much better than men.

If you have the luxury of time, an important decision is best made after a good night's sleep. I've made impulsive decisions that have worked out but also many that have failed (and would have benefited from more careful consideration.)


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Yep, I see I great deal in what you've said here, but this particular case, (although life and death was definitely involved) centred around if something is a 50% 50% call, What got you over the line??  Some would refer to is as a 'gut call' i.e the cognition of what was going as being a disconnect from the brain, but this is obviously not the case. This study suggests their is a dump of an naturally occurring 'happy haze' that makes you opt for door 1, or door 2. 

Hhmm I take your point with regards to women and decision making, but I think this can often just be a pack mentality, and people in a shouty ego driven one-upmanship environment. Working in the museum sector I've seen the female version of this, and if anything it's worse. crueler, more disrespectful, and less productive. 

I've worked quite a bit in New Zealand, and have been very impressed with management standards that seem to have been derived from climbing and rescue teams. Just like you've said, the best idea wins, no matter where is comes from. That Idea gets, very quickly tested for weakness, or possible improvement, by the team, then put into action.

The main interest for me, with the original study, was thinking about the horror, that there are people out there, who are 'decision addicts' and you can see it in there behaviour. 

[Spanishcedar]

@99call, you might be interested in a book called The Power of Habit, by Charles Duhigg, it was a very informative read for me... if you read, that is.

[99call]

14 minutes ago, Spanishcedar said:

@99call, you might be interested in a book called The Power of Habit, by Charles Duhigg, it was a very informative read for me... if you read, that is.

Sounds interesting. I'll follow that up. Is the "if you read" a dig?

[Spanishcedar]

 

1 hour ago, 99call said:

Sounds interesting. I'll follow that up. Is the "if you read" a dig?

That was not a dig, my friend and I am glad you asked instead of just believing that it was; as I hardly know you, I genuinely didn't want to simply assume you would be interested in something that you may or may not have any real interest in, hence the clause.

I used to not be a reader, but that has changed over the past few years.

[99call]

11 minutes ago, Spanishcedar said:

 

That was not a dig, my friend and I am glad you asked instead of just believing that it was; as I hardly know you, I genuinely didn't want to simply assume you would be interested in something that you may or may not have any real interest in, hence the clause.

I used to not be a reader, but that has changed over the past few years.

Brilliant, Sorry to have to ask, it seems the whole world 'is offended' these days. Makes me a bit paranoid. I'll defo check that book out. Cheers mate.

[puromaniac]

The brain is a most interesting organ. Like most of us, I am constantly battling what science types call the "tyranny of the pre-frontal cortex," the part of the brain responsible for most executive decisions. Our poor brains are constantly bombarded by stimuli that require stress-inducing attention, and one way to activate other parts of our brains, and relieving stress, besides putting down our phones, is focussed time in nature. The Japanese have gone as far as creating green space for "nature therapy" which researchers have shown enhance our immune systems, health, and well-being.

I am also betting taking time for a cigar and relaxing provides similar benefits and relief from brain tyranny. Now if I could only get a grant to test it.

Sorry if I veered off topic.

[99call]

13 minutes ago, puromaniac said:

The brain is a most interesting organ. Like most of us, I am constantly battling what science types call the "tyranny of the pre-frontal cortex," the part of the brain responsible for most executive decisions. Our poor brains are constantly bombarded by stimuli that require stress-inducing attention, and one way to activate other parts of our brains, and relieving stress, besides putting down our phones, is focussed time in nature. The Japanese have gone as far as creating green space for "nature therapy" which researchers have shown enhance our immune systems, health, and well-being.

I am also betting taking time for a cigar and relaxing provides similar benefits and relief from brain tyranny. Now if I could only get a grant to test it.

Sorry if I veered off topic.

Ha, cigars is always the right topic. I wonder how many 'happy haze' decisions, have cause the slamming of the enter button in the 24-24

[99call]

I'm now wondering whether I could detect the radar signature difference between a Monte Open and a SLR Serie A as they approached my mouth.  now thats stressful!

[puromaniac]

3 minutes ago, 99call said:

I'm now wondering whether I could detect the radar signature difference between a Monte Open and a SLR Serie A as they approached my mouth.  now thats stressful!

Ha ha. That kind of stress I can deal with. Well, maybe not a Monte Open. Dealing with phone calls has been shown in some studies to be the equivalent of losing a night's sleep. 

[PigFish]

... if this somehow does not work its way around to the 24x24 sales on this site, I will be thoroughly disappointed!!! -LOL

Sorry mates, my spontaneous posts are always best, and I know it... 

-

[PigFish]

3 hours ago, 99call said:

Ha, cigars is always the right topic. I wonder how many 'happy haze' decisions, have cause the slamming of the enter button in the 24-24

... ahhh, damn I missed it, posted before reading the whole thread!!! -Piggy