Thomas Gilovich
Author of How We Know What Isn't So: The Fallibility of Human Reason in Everyday Life
About the Author
Works by Thomas Gilovich
How We Know What Isn't So: The Fallibility of Human Reason in Everyday Life (1991) 711 copies, 4 reviews
Why Smart People Make Big Money Mistakes And How To Correct Them: Lessons From The New Science Of Behavioral Economics (1999) 411 copies, 2 reviews
The Wisest One in the Room: How You Can Benefit from Social Psychology's Most Powerful Insights (2015) 183 copies, 3 reviews
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Birthdate
- 1954
- Gender
- male
- Occupations
- professor of psychology (Cornell University)
- Short biography
- Thomas Gilovich is Professor and Chairman of the Department of Psychology at Cornell University and co-director of the Cornell Center for Behavioral Economics and Decision Research. He received his B.A. in Psychology in 1976 from the University of California and his PhD in Psychology in 1981 from Stanford University. Dr. Gilovich studies how people make judgments and decisions in their everyday and professional lives. He is most widely known for research that debunks the “hot hand” in basketball, that identifies what people regret most in life and why, and that examines the contaminating influence of egocentrism on everyday judgment.
He has written three books: How We Know What Isn’t So (1991), Why Smart People Make Big Money Mistakes (1999, with Gary Belsky), and Social Psychology (2005, with Dacher Keltner and Richard Nisbett). He also edited, with Dale Griffin and Daniel Kahneman, Heuristics and Biases: The Psychology of Intuitive Judgment. Dr. Gilovich was awarded the Stephen Russell Distinguished Teaching Award and was twice named Outstanding Educator for teaching statistics, judgment, and social psychology to undergraduate students at Cornell.
http://www.fabbs.org/fabbs-foundation... - Nationality
- USA
- Places of residence
- Ithaca, New York, USA
- Associated Place (for map)
- New York, USA
Members
Reviews
I picked this up after reading The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark by Carl Sagan, as he refers to it at some point.
Now, don't get me wrong: this is a very good read, doing exactly what it says on the tin, that is, exposing some of our most common fallacies when assessing evidence and so forging opinions. Personally for instance, I particularly like his insisting that being prejudiced/ wrong is not being irrational or stupid but, merely abiding to what he calls a 'flawed show more rationality'. I was also really engrossed by the chapters relating to the false consensus effect, as they strongly reminded me of another effect detailed in another book that I had read recently (The Spiral of Silence: Public Opinion - Our Social Skin, 2nd Edition, by Elizabet Noelle-Neumann), that of the spiral of silence and how individuals monitor the expression of their own opinions, based on what they believe other people think. The fact that Thomas Gilovich dares exposing how erroneous thinking can lead to dangerous groupthinks and, beyond, catastrophic policies in various fields makes it all the more compelling and relevant.
The thing is, if you are like me, that is, interested in rational thinking, the scientific method, how prejudicial thinking operates, and/ or some of the commonest claptraps when assessing data, then there won't be much to learn here. Even the most engaging parts putting the reader to the test (e.g. a card experiment asking you which cards you would chose in other to confirm/ infirm the veracity of a statement etc.) will feel déjà-vu to those used to this type of literature. Is it bad?
All in all, there is no denying that I enjoyed it. When it comes to re-assert the key features of critical thinking, it will surely feel like barging through an open door with a ram and just so as to state what should be obvious! And yet... And yet, as someone having prejudices of my own (e.g. I dislike the press, and the British press especially) I for one never cease to be amazed by how the medias seem utterly incompetent in basic numeracy when assessing statistics, or, worse, unable to comprehend the necessity to question source before tossing out opinions passed off as facts. Needless to say, then, the parts on how the medias can dangerously serve 'the fallibility of human reason' were right up my street!
Is it ground-breaking? Absolutely not. Do I recommend it, though? You bet I do! We all can be easily mislead. It's good to be reminded so. show less
Now, don't get me wrong: this is a very good read, doing exactly what it says on the tin, that is, exposing some of our most common fallacies when assessing evidence and so forging opinions. Personally for instance, I particularly like his insisting that being prejudiced/ wrong is not being irrational or stupid but, merely abiding to what he calls a 'flawed show more rationality'. I was also really engrossed by the chapters relating to the false consensus effect, as they strongly reminded me of another effect detailed in another book that I had read recently (The Spiral of Silence: Public Opinion - Our Social Skin, 2nd Edition, by Elizabet Noelle-Neumann), that of the spiral of silence and how individuals monitor the expression of their own opinions, based on what they believe other people think. The fact that Thomas Gilovich dares exposing how erroneous thinking can lead to dangerous groupthinks and, beyond, catastrophic policies in various fields makes it all the more compelling and relevant.
The thing is, if you are like me, that is, interested in rational thinking, the scientific method, how prejudicial thinking operates, and/ or some of the commonest claptraps when assessing data, then there won't be much to learn here. Even the most engaging parts putting the reader to the test (e.g. a card experiment asking you which cards you would chose in other to confirm/ infirm the veracity of a statement etc.) will feel déjà-vu to those used to this type of literature. Is it bad?
All in all, there is no denying that I enjoyed it. When it comes to re-assert the key features of critical thinking, it will surely feel like barging through an open door with a ram and just so as to state what should be obvious! And yet... And yet, as someone having prejudices of my own (e.g. I dislike the press, and the British press especially) I for one never cease to be amazed by how the medias seem utterly incompetent in basic numeracy when assessing statistics, or, worse, unable to comprehend the necessity to question source before tossing out opinions passed off as facts. Needless to say, then, the parts on how the medias can dangerously serve 'the fallibility of human reason' were right up my street!
Is it ground-breaking? Absolutely not. Do I recommend it, though? You bet I do! We all can be easily mislead. It's good to be reminded so. show less
The Wisest One in the Room: How You Can Benefit from Social Psychology's Most Powerful Insights by Thomas Gilovich
Of the many definitions proposed for wisdom, perhaps the most intriguing is “seeing beyond illusion.” When most people are captivated by illusions, the wisest one in the room sees past them and proposes new solutions. The authors draw on recent research in social psychology, judgement, and decision making to help us become wiser. These insights help us see beyond five classes of compelling illusions that often mislead us. The second part of the book applies these wise perspectives to show more solving several important real-world problems.
These five “pillars of wisdom” are demonstrated with relevant research and clear examples in the first part of the book:
1) Illusions of objectivity — Naïve realism is the ubiquitous error of mistaking our perception of the world for an objective assessment of the world. Wise people recognize that their take on reality is only their own perception and not an objective assessment of the world as it actually is. This leads to the false consensus effect—a tendency to project your preferences onto a majority of people. Wise people recognize that bias affects them as much as it does others because most of the mental processes of perception operate automatically without our awareness. Wise people acknowledge their own perspective is no more valid than another’s.
2) The surprising power of subtle situational influence — Organ donation participation rates are close to 100 percent in countries that require people to opt-out and only about 15 percent in opt-in countries. Wise people know it is important to make the path from good intentions to effective action clear and simple. Nudges in the form of helpful options, honesty reminders, and removing obstacles on: retirement plans, saving money, recycling waste, tax filing, healthy eating, and lab experiments greatly influence the participation rates. Wise people understand the power of getting the ball rolling in the right direction. When we ignore situational influences we commit the fundamental attribution error and confuse situational influences with personal motivation, values, and character. To avoid confusing the person with the role, wise people withhold judgment until the situation is known.
3) The label frames the issue— “The names we give to plans, policies, and proposals determine what associations and images come to mind when we think about them.” In early 2000 the board of Ursinus College put this to the test by raising tuition nearly 20 percent. Applications soared, largely because prospective applicants see tuition costs as a proxy for the prestige of the school. Context, motivation, and timeliness influence the meaning we attach to various ambiguous stimuli. Understanding negativity dominance can help us evaluate alternatives framed as loses by considering the corresponding gains; understanding denominator neglect can help us fairly compare financial alternatives.
4) Beliefs follow from actions—“Once people have acted in a way that seems consistent with a particular belief, they are inclined to endorse that belief.” It can cheer us up to whistle while we work or to manage to smile when we might otherwise be feeling glum. The physical actions of social movements, whether for good or evil, nudge people toward adopting the beliefs of those already moving. “I act; therefore I believe.” Wise people follow their own well-chosen beliefs even if they must oppose the crowd.
5) Ideology blinds us to contrary evidence—“The information we can access most readily is often but a small fraction of the information we need, and often a biased sample at that.” Our intuitions automatically access this readily available, but incomplete information, “Many mistakes are made not because the right answer is too hard but because the wrong answer is too easy.” To overcome confirmation bias, wise people deliberately seek out evidence that contradicts their intuition.
The second half of the book applies these insights to analyzing and suggesting solutions to four pressing real-world problems. The problems addressed are: 1) What leads to human happiness and well-being? 2) What sustains human conflict? 3) How can at-risk populations be more effectively educated? and 4) What can we do to minimize global warming? These examples demonstrate how overcoming the frailties of ordinary thinking can help us arrive at new solutions to persistent problems.
This well-researched and thoughtfully presented book explores several mind traps that trick every one of us. The authors skillfully illustrate and apply relevant research with accessible examples. Although the book is more nearly an exposition of the research interests of the authors than it is an in-depth and comprehensive exploration of wisdom, it does provide clear guidance that can help any of us move forward on the long path toward wisdom. show less
These five “pillars of wisdom” are demonstrated with relevant research and clear examples in the first part of the book:
1) Illusions of objectivity — Naïve realism is the ubiquitous error of mistaking our perception of the world for an objective assessment of the world. Wise people recognize that their take on reality is only their own perception and not an objective assessment of the world as it actually is. This leads to the false consensus effect—a tendency to project your preferences onto a majority of people. Wise people recognize that bias affects them as much as it does others because most of the mental processes of perception operate automatically without our awareness. Wise people acknowledge their own perspective is no more valid than another’s.
2) The surprising power of subtle situational influence — Organ donation participation rates are close to 100 percent in countries that require people to opt-out and only about 15 percent in opt-in countries. Wise people know it is important to make the path from good intentions to effective action clear and simple. Nudges in the form of helpful options, honesty reminders, and removing obstacles on: retirement plans, saving money, recycling waste, tax filing, healthy eating, and lab experiments greatly influence the participation rates. Wise people understand the power of getting the ball rolling in the right direction. When we ignore situational influences we commit the fundamental attribution error and confuse situational influences with personal motivation, values, and character. To avoid confusing the person with the role, wise people withhold judgment until the situation is known.
3) The label frames the issue— “The names we give to plans, policies, and proposals determine what associations and images come to mind when we think about them.” In early 2000 the board of Ursinus College put this to the test by raising tuition nearly 20 percent. Applications soared, largely because prospective applicants see tuition costs as a proxy for the prestige of the school. Context, motivation, and timeliness influence the meaning we attach to various ambiguous stimuli. Understanding negativity dominance can help us evaluate alternatives framed as loses by considering the corresponding gains; understanding denominator neglect can help us fairly compare financial alternatives.
4) Beliefs follow from actions—“Once people have acted in a way that seems consistent with a particular belief, they are inclined to endorse that belief.” It can cheer us up to whistle while we work or to manage to smile when we might otherwise be feeling glum. The physical actions of social movements, whether for good or evil, nudge people toward adopting the beliefs of those already moving. “I act; therefore I believe.” Wise people follow their own well-chosen beliefs even if they must oppose the crowd.
5) Ideology blinds us to contrary evidence—“The information we can access most readily is often but a small fraction of the information we need, and often a biased sample at that.” Our intuitions automatically access this readily available, but incomplete information, “Many mistakes are made not because the right answer is too hard but because the wrong answer is too easy.” To overcome confirmation bias, wise people deliberately seek out evidence that contradicts their intuition.
The second half of the book applies these insights to analyzing and suggesting solutions to four pressing real-world problems. The problems addressed are: 1) What leads to human happiness and well-being? 2) What sustains human conflict? 3) How can at-risk populations be more effectively educated? and 4) What can we do to minimize global warming? These examples demonstrate how overcoming the frailties of ordinary thinking can help us arrive at new solutions to persistent problems.
This well-researched and thoughtfully presented book explores several mind traps that trick every one of us. The authors skillfully illustrate and apply relevant research with accessible examples. Although the book is more nearly an exposition of the research interests of the authors than it is an in-depth and comprehensive exploration of wisdom, it does provide clear guidance that can help any of us move forward on the long path toward wisdom. show less
I liked the book but I thought it was a bit too shallow and repetitive. You could distill the main arguments down to 25 pages and still include everything that's important. But at least it was a fairly entertaining book.
Why smart people make big money mistakes--and how to correct them : lessons from the new science of behavioral economics by Gary Belsky
Explores emotional, psychological and social motivations for faulty decision-making and investment behavior. Multiple examples of clinically validated "irrational" behaviors, expectations and motivations of investors. Multiple references to actual academic studies of behavioral economics. Very accessible, very convincing: "rational investors" are rare.
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Statistics
- Works
- 6
- Members
- 1,482
- Popularity
- #17,330
- Rating
- 3.9
- Reviews
- 9
- ISBNs
- 29
- Languages
- 5
