If you start a sentence with, “If I were you...” or find yourself scratching your head over a decision when the answer is crystal-clear, there’s a scientific reason behind it. Our own decision-making abilities can become exhausted over the course of the day causing indecision or poor choices, but choosing on behalf of someone else is an enjoyable task that doesn’t suffer the same difficulties.
“The problem is decision fatigue, a psychological phenomenon that causes harm to the quality of your choices after a long day of decision making,” says Evan Polman, a leading psychologist.
Physicians on the job for several hours, for example, are more likely to prescribe antibiotics (抗生素) to patients when it’s unwise to do so. “Presumably it’s because it’s simple and easy to write a prescription and consider a patient case closed rather than investigate further,” Polman says.
But decision fatigue goes away when you are making the decision for someone else. When people imagine themselves as advisers, they feel less tired and rely less on decision shortcuts. “By taking upon the role of adviser rather than decision maker, one does not suffer the consequences of decision fatigue,” he says. “It is as if there is something fun about making someone else’s choice.”
“Getting input from others not only offers a fresh perspective and thought process, it often also includes riskier choices. While this sounds undesirable, it can be quite good. When people experience decision fatigue, when they are tired of making choices, they have a tendency to choose to go with status quo,” says Polman. “But it can be problematic since a change in the course of action can be important and lead to a positive outcome.”
To achieve a successful outcome or reward, some level of risk is almost always essential. “People who are susceptible to decision fatigue will likely choose to do nothing over something,” he says. “That’s not to say risk is always good, but it is related to taking action, whereas decision fatigue assuredly leads to inaction and the possible chagrin (懊恼) of a decision maker who might otherwise prefer a new course but is unfortunately hindered.”
“Just because you can make good choices for others doesn’t mean you’ll do the same for yourself,” Polman cautions. “Research has found that women negotiate higher salaries for others than they do for themselves,” he says, adding that people slip in and out of decision roles.
8. What does the author say about people making decisions?
A.They tend to make decisions the way they think advantageous to them. |
B.They may become exhausted making too many decisions for themselves. |
C.They show considerable differences in their decision-making abilities. |
D.They are more cautious in making decisions for others than for themselves. |
9. When do people feel less decision fatigue?
A.When they take decision shortcuts. |
B.When they have advisers to turn to. |
C.When they have major decisions to make. |
D.When they help others to make decisions. |
10. What are people likely to do when decision fatigue sets in?
A.They avoid trying anything new. |
B.They turn to physicians for advice. |
C.They tend to make risky decisions. |
D.They adopt a totally new perspective. |
11. What does the passage say about taking some risk in decision making?
A.It will enable people to be more creative. |
B.It will more often than not end in regret. |
C.It is vital for one to reach the goal desired. |
D.It is likely to bring about serious consequences. |