Why you trust your gut instinct over logic

 People feel more confident in snap decisions which come from their ‘true self’

People often trust their gut instincts over logic because they feel those decisions are a more accurate reflection of their ‘true selves’, say scientists.

Because we see these choices as a better representation of who we are, we are more likely to have confidence in them, a study suggests, according to Daily Mail.

Scientists said while gut decisions come with several benefits, it can make us stubborn and unhappy to accept when we are wrong.

 They argue the best decisions are made with both a bit of gut-instinct, and thought out logic.

‘So much folk wisdom says that we should eschew intuition because careful deliberation is thought to be the surest path to good choices,’ said lead researcher Dr Sam Maglio of the University of Toronto, Scarborough.

‘But we can’t escape our gut feelings. In making decisions, people must decide not only what to choose, but how to choose it.

‘Our research suggests that individuals focusing on their feelings in decision-making do indeed come to see their chosen options as more consistent with what is essential, true and unwavering about themselves.’

Researchers conducted a series of four experiments involving a total of more than 450 participants.

In each experiment, participants had to choose one from a selection of similar items, such as different DVD players, mugs, apartments or restaurants.

In each case, participants were asked to make their decision either in a deliberative, logical manner or in an intuitive, gut-based one.

They were then asked a series of questions about the choice.

Participants who were instructed to make an intuitive, gut-based decision were more likely to report that that decision reflected their true selves.

The researchers also found that participants who made intuitive, gut-based decisions were more certain of their decisions and more likely to advocate for them.

In one experiment, participants were asked to choose between two different restaurants, again based either on intuition or deliberation, and were then instructed to publicise their choice by emailing their decision to their friends.

The people who picked a restaurant intuitively shared their choice with more people.

‘This suggests that focusing on feelings doesn’t just change attitudes – it can change behaviour, too,’ said Dr Maglio.

But the surety that comes with making a gut-based instead of logical choice can be a double-edged sword, he added.

For instance, if someone chooses an exercise program, such as cycling, based on feelings, they may be more likely to stick to it.

On the other hand, gut-based decisions can also make us stubborn and unhappy to change our decisions.

‘When digging our heels in is a good thing, like making sure we hop on the bike every day, there’s little downside and a lot of benefit,’ Dr Maglio said.

‘But dug-in heels give way to stubbornness and isolationism in the blink of an eye.

‘For this reason, perhaps a bit of the openness facilitated by deliberation isn’t a bad thing after all.’

N.H.Kh