Emotions play a role in our ability to make mistakes from "summary" of Why We Make Mistakes by Joseph T. Hallinan
Our emotions can lead us astray when it comes to making mistakes. Take the case of eyewitness testimony, for example. In criminal cases, eyewitnesses are often called upon to identify perpetrators in court. Yet, research has shown that eyewitness testimony is not always reliable. Why? Because our emotions can influence our memories, causing us to make errors in identification. When we are in a heightened emotional state, such as during a traumatic event, our ability to accurately recall details becomes compromised. This is due to a phenomenon known as "emotional memory enhancement," where our brains prioritize emotionally charged information over neutral details. As a result, our memories can become distorted, leading to mistakes in identification and judgment. Another way in which emotions can impact our decision-making is through the phenomenon of "emotional contagion." This is the tendency for our emotions to be influenced by those around us, leading us to make decisions based on how we feel in the moment rather than on rational thinking. For example, if we are in a group setting where everyone is expressing fear or panic, we are more likely to make impulsive decisions driven by those emotions rather than by logic. Furthermore, our emotions can also cloud our judgment and lead us to ignore important information. This is known as "emotional reasoning," where we allow our emotions to dictate our beliefs and perceptions, even in the face of contradictory evidence. For instance, if we have a strong emotional attachment to a particular belief or idea, we may overlook facts that challenge that belief, leading us to make errors in judgment.- Our emotions play a significant role in our ability to make mistakes. They can impact our memories, influence our decision-making, and cloud our judgment, leading us to make errors in identification, reasoning, and perception. It is essential to be aware of the influence of emotions on our thinking processes and to strive for a balanced approach that combines both emotional intelligence and rationality in decision-making.
