Too Many Options: Paralysis of Choice

Three Keys to Making Better Decisions in Life

Have you ever struggled to make a decision because there were too many options to choose from? How does having too many options impair decision-making? Most people think that having more options to choose from is better than having fewer. However, having too many options can be just as bad as not having enough of them. Here’s how having too many options causes paralysis of choice and impairs decision-making.

Pseudo-Profound Bullsh*t: Ignorance in Disguise

Pseudo-Profound Bullsh*t: Ignorance in Disguise

What exactly is meant by the term “pseudo-profound bullsh*t”? Why do people find it so difficult to admit their ignorance? Pseudo-profound bullsh*t is a class of long-winded assertions that sound profound yet are meaningless. In his book The Art of Thinking Clearly, Rolf Dobelli calls it the “twaddle tendency” and attributes it to group membership. Keep reading to learn about the phenomenon of pseudo-profound bullsh*t.

How to Evaluate an Argument Using Logos

How to Evaluate an Argument Using Logos

What is logos in the context of persuasion? How can you use logos to evaluate an argument? Logos is used in persuasive arguments to convey logic and reason. Alternatively, you can use logos to evaluate an argument. There are three aspects of a rhetorical fallacy that you should keep an eye out for: weak proof, a bad conclusion, or a proof-conclusion disconnect. Here’s how to evaluate an argument and identify faulty logic using logos.

Don’t Let Investment Uncertainty Hold You Back

Don’t Let Investment Uncertainty Hold You Back

Does fear of uncertainty hold you back from investing? Are you nervous about putting your money in a long-term investment account, not knowing how much it will grow? According to Morgan Housel, the author of The Psychology of Money, investment uncertainty holds many people back. However, the longer you put off investing due to fear, the smaller your returns will be. Here’s why accepting uncertainty is key to achieving long-term investing success.

The Psychology Behind Irrational Decisions

The Psychology Behind Irrational Decisions

Why do people make bad decisions? How do you make a decision when there are just too many variables to consider? Many times, you make bad decisions because you don’t have enough options, information, or experience to make logical ones. However, too many options, information, or experience can also inspire irrational decisions. Let’s take a look at the three situations where excess causes irrationality: 1) too much experience, 2) too many options, and 3) too much information.

Understanding the Psychology of Loss Aversion

The 25 Cognitive Biases: Loss Aversion Bias

What is loss aversion? Why does losing something have a stronger psychological impact compared to gaining something? As the name suggests, loss aversion is the tendency to have a stronger aversion to losing something compared to gaining something. Loss aversion is an evolutionary trait passed on from early humanity when losing something—be it belongings, weapons, or food supply—was often fatal. Being cautious and avoiding loss kept early humans alive and able to procreate, meaning their cautious genes survived to the current day. Keep reading to learn about the psychology of loss aversion.

Fundamental Attribution Bias—Explained

Fundamental Attribution Bias—Explained

What is fundamental attribution bias? Why do people fall for the attribution effect? Fundamental attribution bias (also known as correspondence bias or attribution effect) is a tendency to attribute others’ behavior to their disposition or personality and disregard external or environmental factors. The attribution effect is the by-product of the way your social brain works. Keep reading to learn about fundamental attribution bias, why it occurs, and how to avoid it.

How to Use Ethos to Judge an Argument

How to Use Ethos to Judge an Argument

What is ethos in the context of persuasion? How do you use ethos to evaluate a persuasive argument? Ethos is used to gain credibility and trust in a persuasive argument. However, it can be used for more than just writing a persuasive essay—you can use ethos to judge the arguments of others. The three things you need to look out for are the virtue, level of interest, and practical wisdom of the speaker. Here’s how to use ethos to judge an argument.