Here are 7 takeaways about decision-making from this book on Neuroscience.
Knowing your brain and how you make decisions is essential for all of us, at home and at work.
The points in the summary below are what I took from the book by David Eagleman The Brain: The Story of You - specifically here with the context of decision making.
1. Conscious vs. Unconscious Decision-making: Eagleman explores the dichotomy between conscious thought and the vast, unseen machinery of the brain working behind the scenes.
A lot of decision-making processes occur without our conscious awareness. ( This is why when we look at drivers of behavior we identify between those that are automatic and those that are reflective)
2.
Influence of Emotions
Our choices are not solely logic-driven. Emotions play a significant role in how decisions are made, and the brain's limbic system, responsible for emotions, often has a strong say in our choices. (If you want to learn more about how emotions are made - you can read the book by Lisa Feldman Barrett "How Emotions are made" - it has helped me tremendously to create new concepts for the brain.)
3.
Neural Competition
Decision-making is illustrated as a form of competition between neural populations in the brain. Different networks push for various outcomes, and the "winner" determines the choice we make.
4. Brain-Body Connection: The brain and body constantly communicate. While the brain processes information and sends directives to the body, the body sends a wealth of sensory information back to the brain for interpretation and response.
5.
Past Experiences & Memory
Our previous experiences, stored as memories, heavily influence our decisions. The brain continually refers to past situations to predict the best outcomes for current scenarios. (I constantly tell myself, "This is a past memory" when I am facing something that used to make me uncomfortable but does not do so anymore)
6.
The Environment
Eagleman also emphasizes the external factors and their influence. Our surroundings, immediate contexts, and even seemingly irrelevant stimuli can sway our decisions. (Also why we look at the environment when looking at drivers of behavior)
7.
Biological Factors
Our brain chemistry, hormones, and even our physical state (like being hungry or tired) can affect our decision-making processes, sometimes leading to choices we wouldn't make under different conditions. (context matters)
I have been reading more and more about neuroscience recently - it is a part of the areas that make up behavioral science.
In the end, the knowledge we gain from neuroscience is still meant to be used to drive change - and that can be done only by knowing how to facilitate change or remove barriers for those who want to change and improve in the first place - and that has to be done in a systematic and evidence-based way.
Have you read the book? What do you think about it?