Got the right hat on?

Feb. 21, 2011 - PRLog -- Although neuro-science has revealed many new aspects of cognition, there are still many mysteries regarding the way humans make decisions. Through this latest research and fMRI scans of the brain at work, what we now know that the brain is constantly rearranging it neural pathways called plasticity and that many of our selections are influenced by memories, emotions, peer pressure and many other factors. However, according to Terry Wilcox founder of the Theory of Excellence(THE), all decisions can be grouped into one of four categories. This is determined by the temporal demand at the time of the choice whereupon the brain’s central executive selects which neural connection pathway to use. The brain then has the right type of thinking cap on, but how does it select which hat?

The first hat is the one where we do things without even thinking known as autonomic in biology, but automatic is more commonly used. The decision timeframe is sub second and it can instantly affect the whole body in an effort to avoid a threat or react to the presence of a possible mate. With practice we can develop skills so that they are automatic, which is where the 10,000 hour law originates.  These human automatic functions are so ingrained into the blue print of our bodies that it is possible to do these types of tasks even while asleep like walking, eating or even holding a conversation. They take virtually zero effort or energy and we do many throughout the day without even realising we are doing them.

The second hat the brain can wear is the intuitive cap. This is when a decision is made taking about a second or just over. It is nearly automatic but there is some work needed to take into consideration the environment or circumstances, but it is a very small amount of effort.  Normally this is a skill that has been developed over time such as kicking a football or hitting a golf ball. At work it is the employee who has done this task many times before and has the experience to know the right answer without needing much thought - traditionally known as a ‘gut feeling’.  He’s been there, done it and got the tee shirt. This takes very little energy and it’s possible to do several of these tasks at the same time. Kids now-a-days watch TV and use Facebook to chat with several of their friends at the same time.

The third decision type is the considered, logically arrived at conclusion. The temporal demand for this hat is not unlimited but there is time to review the situation, research the archives for previous information or experience on the subject and process the answer. It takes a massive amount of energy to perform this thought type accessing memories and thinking through the options with focus or complete attention. This is why we get exhausted taking exams or learning new procedures at work. But we do get better the more we practice so the new skills transfers from this stage towards the intuitive or automatic status. Driving a car is a typical example. At first it is extremely difficult and tiring but once enough time behind the wheel has been completed the task is mastered and we can do it without much thought at all. Unfortunately, although we all would like to believe we can, we are biologically engineered to do one of these at once, and only one. Try doing a math question and reciting the alphabet at the same time.

The forth is the holiday hat, which surprisingly is actually the most powerful. This is where the brain goes when there is nothing to think about; nothing demanding our attention. This type of thought process is known as the default mode or stimulus independent thought by neuroscience – day dreaming by the man in the street. Remarkably, research has shown that we spend about 50% of our time in this mode of thought. Whilst this hat is on, we ponder over situations that don’t have a limit on the time to answer. We reflect on things using many different parts of the brain to help formulate answers. Typically the types of questions we answer wearing this hat are the big ones – deciding to change jobs, getting married, to move house or have another child. A lot of the time they don’t have a right or wrong answer so fall into the complex adaptive question category. This is when we combine logic and creativity using the power of the brain to the maximum. Although this type of thought process uses the greatest amount of the brain, it actually does not consume that much energy. In fact this hat is normally worn at the same time as the automatic hat such as when jogging, driving, swimming or completing other none demanding repetitive tasks when we have spare cognitive capacity so new ideas or solutions pop into our heads expectantly.

So, the time frame to make the decision determines the hat. Super-fast reaction equals automatic. Quick is intuitive and need an answer in a limited time is logical, although sometimes we are anything but, even after a long period of consideration.  And the final timing hat is the holiday/adaptive hat where time isn’t an issue.

These decision buckets cover every eventuality in life and determine how humans think – or at least which parts of the brain are switched on. The interesting thing is humans have a preference for a particular hat in particular environments. Some like to wear their logical one at work, but prefer their holiday hat at home. Many enjoy the intuitive bonnet as their preferred hat even at work. We also have a second and third favourite and the ‘oh no – I don’t like that one at all’. According to the Theory of Excellence the secret is to make sure that you wear the right hat for the right occasion and in the right circumstances.

# # #

The Theory of Human Excellence (THE) is a revolutionary new way of looking at behaviour. It is founded upon the very latest neuro research covering how the brain learns, grows and formulates decisions. For more info go to http://www.theoryofexcellence.org