5 Mental Traps To Avoid
- Sep 1, 2022
- 4 min read
Written by: Sallie Wagner, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Are you ready to make better decisions to get better, different results in life?
I wrote recently on the importance of critical thinking, and the crucial role that this particular progression plays:
Thoughts determine feelings
Feelings determine decisions
Decisions determine actions
Actions determine results
Results reinforce thoughts
This progression underscores the concept that one way we can impact our decisions is by changing our thinking. And, if we intend to impact those decisions in positive ways, the most direct way to do that is to change our plain, everyday thinking into critical thinking.
If we intend to make better decisions, the easiest entry point is to change our thinking. It follows then, that, ideally, when we change our thinking, we can change it for the better by learning and implementing critical thinking skills.
So, what does this have to do with getting better, different results in life?
Just look at the progression outlined above – decisions determine actions, and actions determine results. So, if you have any questions about the quality of your critical thinking skills, just look at your decisions, or better yet, look at your results.
What decisions have you made or are you making about your job, career, school, relationships, the things you buy, the things you eat, and so on? What results are you getting because of those decisions?
Examining your decisions and results is the easiest way to determine whether it’s time to work on those critical thinking skills.
Do you like the results you’re getting in life?
If yes, congratulations! Keep doing what you’re doing.
On the other hand, if you’re less than pleased with your results, it’s time to change your thinking and develop your critical thinking skills.
The best way to start is to learn to spot the mental traps that keep us from thinking critically. Traps like (just to name a few):
Confirmation bias
Cognitive dissonance
Group/team think and assigned opinions
Mind reading
Projection
Let’s consider each briefly so we can see how we might be able to avoid them. First, a couple of common points about each of these mental traps:
They are unconscious processes – we’re typically not consciously aware of engaging in the traps
We don’t know when we’re in the trap – being right v. being in the trap look and feel exactly the same
Having set the stage, let’s explore the traps!
First, confirmation bias is when we process information by looking for, or interpreting, information that’s consistent with what we already know or believe to be true. It’s the practice of seeing what you’re looking for, what’s already in your mind, rather than seeing what’s there. Like when you buy a red car and suddenly, everywhere you look you see red cars. The result is that we tend to ignore things that we’re not already primed to see. We tend to ignore information that’s not consistent with what we already know or believe to be true. And so, we’re closed to new and different knowledge.
Next, cognitive dissonance happens when our behaviors and beliefs are out of alignment, or when we have beliefs that are contradictory with each other. The result is that we try to explain the contradictory beliefs/results away, or we may reject any information that conflicts with our existing beliefs, we reject the information that causes the dissonance.
Next, group/team think and/or assigned opinions is when we accept the opinions of the groups we belong to, without criticism or independent analysis. It’s when we conform to the group thinking without thinking for ourselves. The result is that we parrot the group's opinions and reject information that contradicts those opinions.
Next, mind reading is when we “know” what another person is thinking and refuse to change our opinion even when the person clearly and consistently express thoughts contrary to our opinion. The result is that we cut off meaningful communication and interaction between ourselves and others.
Last, projection is when we ascribe our own feelings, motives, actions onto another person. Many times, we do this somewhat defensively – in order to deflect attention from our own less than admirable feelings, motives, and actions, we accuse somebody else of thinking, feeling, doing the exact same thing. The result is that we falsely believe that others are behaving badly when, in fact, we are the bad actors.
One way to escape these mental traps is to become mindful of our own thought processes and to deliberately consider input and information from multiple sources. We must be willing to question our own thoughts, feelings, beliefs, motives, and actions. We must be able to step into the thoughts and opinions of others. If we can understand and argue their position, without ad hominem attacks, ridicule, and demonization, then perhaps we have escaped the mental traps.
It all comes down to being honest with ourselves, and with others.
When you do that, your thinking will change. Your feelings will change. Your decisions will change. Your results will change! And your LIFE will change!
What an amazing result!
Sallie Wagner, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Sallie Wagner – speaker, author, lawyer, real estate broker, What’s Next Strategist, and Life Alchemist! Sallie employs Emotional Freedom Techniques, evolved Neurolinguistic Programming, and trauma-aware modalities, so clients launch into action for rapid, concrete results, as they ditch unwanted habits, behaviors, fears, phobias, limiting beliefs, and decisions.
Sallie spent the majority of her law career in the corporate world. In addition to her other business initiatives, she currently provides broker and contracts compliance services to real estate brokerages throughout Florida. She also owns and operates a real estate school.
