Popular Culture: Cognitive Biases Make Common Sense Neither
In my last post, I argued that common sense was vastly over-rated as a tool for making sound judgments and that we need to engage in “reasoned sense” that includes both extensive direct experience and critical thinking. Taking steps that include the informal use of the scientific method can help us make better decisions. However, as […]
Read MorePsychology: Cognitive Biases Make Common Sense Neither
In my last post, I argued that common sense was vastly over-rated as a tool for making sound judgments and that we need to engage in “reasoned sense” that includes both extensive direct experience and critical thinking. Taking steps that include the informal use of the scientific method can help us make better decisions. However, as […]
Read MoreParenting: Set Your Children’s “Defaults” Early
For you to send the healthiest possible messages to your children requires that you fully buy into my notion that children become the messages they get the most. Though it seems to be a pretty intuitive and reasonable concept, I feel the need to thoroughly convince you of the profound value of messages to your children’s development.
Why Messages?
I’ve always been a bit of a tech geek and first adopter and, for some time, I’ve been blogging on the Psychology of Technology for a variety of web sites. One concept that I come across frequently in the technology world is “default.” For those of you not familiar with what a default is in tech-speak, it’s defined as a “preset option: an option that will automatically be selected by a computer if the user does not choose another alternative.” Though I didn’t understand why for some time, the idea of defaults has always resonated with me and struck me as meaningful at a psychological level.
Now you may be wondering what a computer default has to do with raising children. Well, in raising your children, whether you realize it or not, you’re creating a set of default options in just about every aspect of their lives. To paraphrase the computer definition above, these child defaults are “automatically selected by children if they do not deliberately choose another option.” In other words, your children’s defaults are reflexive responses to their life experiences, including their first thoughts, emotions, decisions, and actions to any given situation. Defaults, whether healthy or unhealthy, are so important for children because they are the first option that will arrive in their “outbox” when faced with a choice. If you can “install” healthy defaults in your children, you are increasing the chances that they will choose that healthy option over other alternatives that might be more attractive to them, but also potentially harmful. Read More
Popular Culture: Common Sense is Neither Common nor Sense
Common sense, defined as “sound judgment derived from experience rather than study,” is one of the most revered qualities in America. It evokes images of early and simpler times in which industrious men and women built our country into what it is today. People with common sense are seen as reasonable, down to earth, reliable, […]
Read MorePsychology: Common Sense is Neither Common nor Sense
Common sense, defined as “sound judgment derived from experience rather than study,” is one of the most revered qualities in America. It evokes images of early and simpler times in which industrious men and women built our country into what it is today. People with common sense are seen as reasonable, down to earth, reliable, […]
Read MoreEducation: Testing in Schools isn’t Working
Testing has become the end-all, be-all of the public education reform movement. The idea seems quite sensible, that holding students (and teachers) to certain objective standards incentivizes both of these stakeholders to work harder and achieve their goals. It also seems reasonable to use the results of those tests as measures of the quality of […]
Read MoreBusiness: Change Your Performance Mindset
When I work with businesspeople and companies, my first challenge is to convince them that profitability, whether individual or corporate, though important, should not be the primary focus. To persuade the often-resistant corporate brain trust, I introduce them to what I call the 3 Ps. Yes, at the top of the business “food chain,” the […]
Read MoreSports: Get Ready for Your Big Event
The Wimbledon Tennis Championships just concluded and the Women’s Soccer World Cup is under way. And then there’s you. You’ve worked hard in pursuit of your goals and, hopefully, you’ve achieved at least some of your competitive goals including qualifying for an upcoming big event. You may not be in the “Big Show” yet, but […]
Read MoreParenting: Your Children are Listening
How Do Children Become Who They Become? The key question that intrigues me as both a parent and a so-called parenting expert is: How do children become who they become? Certainly, genetics play a formative role; intelligence, physical attributes, and temperament all have been found to have a strong hereditary component. Evidence is equally strong […]
Read MoreLatest News: Named Program Director for The Vail Forum
I’m pleased to announce that I have been named Program Director of The Vail Forum, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting excellence and good works in all life pursuits through a commitment to thought leadership, exchange of ideas, technological innovation, transformational experiences, and practical solutions. I will be responsible for developing and overseeing The Vail […]
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