#decision-making psychology

[willowsearth]

How Our Brains See the World: The Simple Truth

Learn how your brain works to shape your view of the world with simple examples and relatable insights. Discover quick decisions, gut feelings, and the magic of expectations.

How Our Brains See the World Ever feel like your brain is running two shows at once? That’s because it kind of is! Your brain has two modes: one is quick and automatic, and the other is slow and careful. These two systems shape how you understand the world, often without you even realizing it. Let’s dive into how this works—with simple examples you’ll relate to. Two Modes: The Racecar and the…

[a-scary-lack-of-common-sense]

A phone call between brothers (takes place AFTER this incident and Fiddleford's phone call)

Sorry if this is OOC!

[augmentedpolls]

another psychology poll!

[thatswhatsushesaid]

characters who are oriented towards survival and self-preservation often look to other characters who are in more stable positions socially (and are similarly interpreted by some readers) as being exclusively self-interested. which is, i suppose, not a completely inaccurate interpretation. prioritizing one's survival is a type of self-interest. but it is self-interest that comes from a place of not wanting to, you know. die.

--- this post has been added to my dreamwidth meta archive here: https://thatswhatsushewrote.dreamwidth.org/4706.html

[hoodedhavok]

talk to me about peterose i want to know anything you've been wanting to talk about!! 🥺💗

i have so many thoughts that ive been inflicting on my friends who don't watch TNA (thank u paigey) so i am SO GLAD YOU ASKED 

first off; him choosing to leave her at the end of the season, absolutely foolish mistake on his part. monroe knows how much rose means to peter and knows that he will throw his life away for her. 

he knew about their connection even when they hadn’t spoken for 10 months, so i dont think them staying away from each other is going to keep her safe

on that note, i am begging for the writers (and peter) to recognize rose as someone who is capable. yes she wants to go back to cali basically the entire season, but she is GOOD at being a night agent, and she doesn’t shy away from a fight 

even in that s2 scene when shes being chased by solomon, she fights back, she has the knife still and succeeds!! could you imagine her with actual TRAINING?  peter and her would be literally unstoppable. 

now i love peter, dont get me wrong, but he was so silly!!! this season, he was so scared about his inability to keeping her safe, that he never saw how capable she was and so he leaves her??? 

on a happier note - i love their dynamic so much, the domesticity of their relationship - the YEARNING. the romance is there but they both know they have shit that needs to get done and i appreciate that. 

and then!! how they know each other?? on the ways that matter to each of them (rose knowing peter in the night agent sense, and peter knowing her on a normal level)

like how rose knows that peter isn’t mentally okay in the beginning of s2 and her telling him not to forget the real peter?? then peter knowing her order? knowing that she is capable of anything professionally? i love them so much oh my goooddd

thank you for asking!!!!! sorry for the essay lmao 

[rapidhighway]

avoidance is my fucking doom man, i know i should go to class but i fucking cant get myself to

[lord-squiggletits]

I'm not completely opposed to making Pharma a weird guy in general pre-Messatine, the main issue I have with it is that a lot of that type of fandom is less "what if he was just a weird little guy" and more seems to be written with the implication that Pharma went crazy because he was just always a little crazy (or a little evil, or a little heartless, etc). Basically, to me it downplays the fact that Pharma underwent massive trauma for two years straight that other characters barely survived for a few hours/days and instead frames Pharma snapping as some sort of... I don't know, genetic/fated downfall because he was just weird, he was always off, is it really any wonder Pharma ended up Like That because I mean there was always something a little weird about him.

It just seems to accidentally imply that Pharma snapping under the pressure of years of torture was some sort of moral failing or sign of him being weak/immoral. You know, Pharma was always kind of a little creepy/insane/evil deep down which is obviously why he killed people. If he were just a normal, not-weird, good person then he would've been mentally strong enough to Not Go Insane. Like uhhhh it just seems kind of fucked up to imply that the reason some people are unable to cope with long-term trauma and have violent/unhealthy coping behaviors is because there's just something innately wrong with them, and then try and look back on their whole life trying to contextualize how they were actually unstable and evil all along instead of just accepting that like. Normal people (tm), yes normal and good people, can be put in situations where they're slowly turned into broken monsters because they had no escape and no good choices.

And also it's equally fucked up to imply that like. Whether or not you can deal with psychological torture without snapping is some sort of function of how innately moral or mentally strong you are. Incredibly victim-blamey to basically go "well the reason Pharma went insane is because he was just always cracked in the head, unlike our good buddy-pal-friend-hero Ratchet who's the perfect doctor and a good Autobot who's never done anything wrong which is why when he's an asshole/hurts people he's not nearly as destructive or Weird About It."

It's not that "Pharma was always kind of crazy" can't be done, because anything can be written well with enough thought. But I think in terms of writing, it's a very difficult and nuanced line to balance and most people literally just can't do it without implying that trauma victims/mentally ill people are evil or something. And Pharma is already unfairly villainized enough as-is, and in canon his trauma was already downplayed in favor of "haha crazy doctor chainsaw go brrr look how weird and quirky and craaaazyyy he is." So it's one of those things where 1. Most people just aren't good enough to write it and 2. "Always a little crazy" Pharma is already oversaturated enough in the fandom anyways and it's enough of a battle to get people to recognize that he's a tragic character and not just an evil asshole.

[petr1kov]

When I started watching Fiona and Cake I was absolutely convinced they were going to use these characters becoming real as a sort of metaphor for Simon to realize he can accept certain aspects of the Ice King and incorporate them into his life. Simon, as Ice King, "wrote" those stories, so Simon regards them poorly despite having a pretty incredible fondness for them. I don't hate the direction they went, but was a little disappointed they seemed to seperate F&C from Simon so strongly

(Sorry, saw your reblog and couldn't help myself)

i completely agree, that was where i thought they were going with this initially, too :/

frankly, i didn't like the explanation that prismo created their reality and only then stored it on ice king's brain, and that's where he got all those crazy ideas for his stories. it feels like they went about it backwards, especially considering how ice king's stories being popular (to the point it bothered simon on the present) was relevant to the show - it makes him seem less imaginative and the stories less personal when so much of what he's writing about is apparently just from observing what was happening in that world as a third party, imo, and that's very strange considering how fionna & cake was always his thing on the original show. and for what? what exactly does that add to the story, or even to prismo's character? maybe an attempt to make their world seem more legitimate and canon?

it would make more sense if prismo liked his stories and then decided to turn them into reality based on that. the link between simon's state of mind and the world inside him would be way stronger (and more interesting) that way. f&c being prismo's idea felt kinda cheap to me, and lessened the obvious connection that fionna and cake should have with simon in terms of mood and struggles down to just 'he's a walking hard drive who's malfunctioning'. that was kind of a letdown.

[prettyboysdontlookatexplosions]

i always wanted to be cool about going gray but i’m not…… but in my defense i have waaaay more gray hair than literally anyone else i know in my general age bracket (unless some people are dyeing it) and it is concentrated in the spots that are most visible (a) where i part my hair when it’s real short and (b) when i pull it back when i need a haircut. considering dyeing it either black or using it as Lazy Person Fun Highlights with a fun color like a dark purple…. however also aware that i need a haircut bad enough that when i get a haircut it’s going to change my feelings about the whole situation up there significantly.

[lunarharp]

when an obsessed orufrey person plays ace attorney for the first time in a while

[captaincrazycreative]

Was listening to mag 24 and thinking "damn Sam is terrible at being subtle about this. Good thing Celia is there to try and keep things on track." then she just immediately jumped in with the "Have you considered being a cop?" CELIA NO-

[willowsearth]

How We Judge Our Social Worlds: Conscious and Unconscious Influences

Learn how your brain works to shape your view of the world with simple examples and relatable insights. Discover quick decisions, gut feelings, and the magic of expectations.

Our brains are constantly working to make sense of the world around us. Whether we realize it or not, much of what we think, feel, and do is influenced by both conscious and unconscious processes. These mental shortcuts and patterns of thinking can shape how we perceive others, interpret situations, and even remember past events. In this blog post, we’ll explore how our judgments are influenced…

[jasontoddenthusiastt]

On the subject of gotham county line and batman noel and so on and so forth it’s pretty frustrating (from a watsonian pov) that anytime Bruce hallucinates Jason being loving/ caring/helpful/compassionate towards him it’s always as robin and never as his current self

[eelhound]

"Psychologists define values as the purpose or attitude we take regarding our chosen actions. A value is not a goal or destination but rather a compass that guides our journey toward a more meaningful, purpose-driven life. Values reflect the ways we most want to show up in the world. In comparison to emotions, which come and go and sometimes mistakenly lead us into thinking there is danger, values provide a steady hand that reminds us about the kind of person we want to be. In comparison to logic, values do not require us to solve anything. They require only that we choose, with clear-eyed intention, how we take our life’s journey.

We can always choose to put our values in the driver’s seat, even when we find ourselves on a path we didn’t choose, don’t much like, or that is truly unjust. We can put our values in the driver’s seat even while experiencing the searing pain of guilt, shame, sadness, or anger."

- Yael Schonbrun, from "How to Make a Decision When There Are No Good Choices." Tricycle, 6 March 2023.

[musical-chick-13]

Fandom have a discussion about Cersei the doesn't just end with calling her some variation of "crazy" challenge.

[omegaphilosophia]

The Philosophy of Sapience

Sapience refers to wisdom, deep insight, or the ability to think and act with judgment, often contrasted with sentience (the capacity for sensation and feeling). In philosophy, sapience explores what it means to be capable of higher-order thinking, reflective self-awareness, and the pursuit of knowledge and understanding.

1. Definition of Sapience

Sapience is typically defined as the ability to reason, think abstractly, and apply knowledge wisely. It encompasses the intellectual faculties that allow beings to reflect, solve complex problems, and engage in self-directed learning.

It is often associated with wisdom, foresight, and a moral dimension, involving not only intellectual capacity but also ethical judgment.

2. Sapience vs. Sentience

Sentience refers to the capacity to have subjective experiences (such as pleasure or pain), while sapience is linked to the higher cognitive abilities that include reasoning, planning, and understanding abstract concepts.

Sapient beings are not only aware of their experiences but are capable of reflecting on those experiences, making decisions based on reason, and exercising judgment about complex matters. Humans are typically considered sapient, while many non-human animals are seen as sentient but not sapient.

3. Sapience and the Human Condition

Sapience is often seen as a key trait that distinguishes humans from other animals. It involves self-awareness and the ability to ask philosophical questions, reflect on one’s existence, and make moral judgments.

The ancient Greeks, especially Aristotle, viewed sapience as a fundamental characteristic of humans. Aristotle argued that humans are "rational animals" whose ability to reason sets them apart from other creatures and allows them to achieve eudaimonia (flourishing or happiness) through the exercise of virtue.

Wisdom and Practical Reasoning: Sapience is also closely related to the philosophical concept of phronesis, or practical wisdom, which refers to the ability to make good judgments in everyday life. This kind of wisdom, according to Aristotle, requires not only knowledge but also experience and moral insight.

4. Sapience and Knowledge

Epistemology, or the philosophy of knowledge, is closely related to the concept of sapience. To be sapient is not just to have knowledge, but to understand how to apply that knowledge wisely in different contexts.

Philosophers like Plato and Socrates viewed sapience as the highest form of knowledge. For Plato, wisdom was a form of insight into the eternal truths of the universe, such as the Forms, and the philosopher was the one who could access this deep knowledge.

Socratic Wisdom: Socrates famously said that true wisdom comes from knowing that one knows nothing. This humility and self-awareness are seen as core aspects of sapience—the ability to reflect critically on one’s own limitations and to pursue knowledge without assuming one already has it.

5. Sapience and Artificial Intelligence

As artificial intelligence continues to develop, the question of whether machines could ever achieve sapience arises. While many AI systems demonstrate remarkable abilities to process information and solve problems (which might mimic aspects of sapience), philosophers debate whether machines can truly possess wisdom, self-awareness, or moral judgment.

Strong AI vs. Weak AI: Weak AI refers to systems that can perform specific tasks but do not have genuine understanding or wisdom. Strong AI theorizes that machines could one day develop true sapience, becoming not just tools for human use but entities capable of reflective thought and ethical decision-making.

Ethical Implications: If machines were to become sapient, this would raise profound ethical questions about their rights, responsibilities, and their place in human society. Would sapient machines deserve the same moral consideration as humans?

6. Sapience and Moral Responsibility

Moral Agency: A key philosophical question related to sapience is whether sapience is required for moral responsibility. Beings with the capacity for reflective thought, self-awareness, and moral reasoning are often seen as responsible for their actions, as they can make choices based on reasoning and judgment.

Free Will and Sapience: The relationship between sapience and free will is another important topic. For some philosophers, sapience involves the ability to act freely, based on reasoned decisions rather than instinct or compulsion.

7. Sapience in Non-Human Animals

Philosophers and scientists debate whether certain non-human animals (such as dolphins, elephants, or great apes) might possess degrees of sapience. These animals have demonstrated behaviors that suggest problem-solving, self-awareness, and even moral behavior, leading to discussions about extending moral consideration to them.

Degrees of Sapience: Some argue that sapience exists on a continuum, with humans representing the highest degree of sapience, but other species potentially exhibiting lesser forms of wisdom and self-reflection.

8. Sapience and Existentialism

Existentialist philosophers like Jean-Paul Sartre view sapience as central to the human experience. Sartre argued that humans are unique in their ability to reflect on their own existence and to make free choices in the face of an indifferent or even absurd universe.

This capacity for self-reflection and choice is both a source of freedom and a burden, as humans must create meaning and purpose in their lives without relying on external or predetermined systems of value. For existentialists, sapience is both the source of human dignity and the cause of existential anxiety.

9. Sapience and the Future

As humans develop new technologies and continue to explore the boundaries of knowledge, the concept of sapience is evolving. Philosophers consider what it means to be wise in an era of rapid technological change, where access to vast amounts of information may not always lead to wisdom or good judgment.

Transhumanism: Some thinkers speculate about the possibility of enhancing human sapience through technology. Transhumanism advocates for using science and technology to improve human intellectual and moral capacities, potentially leading to a future where humans achieve a higher form of sapience.

The philosophy of sapience examines the nature of wisdom, reflective thought, and higher-order reasoning. It encompasses questions about what distinguishes humans from other animals, the relationship between knowledge and judgment, and the moral implications of sapience. It also raises ethical concerns about the development of artificial sapience in machines and the potential for enhancing human intellectual capacities.