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Brain categorizes information for efficiency from "summary" of Your Brain at Work by David Rock
The brain categorizes information for efficiency. It does this by creating mental models that help us navigate the world around us. These mental models are like shortcuts that allow us to make quick decisions without having to analyze every piece of information we come across. When we encounter something new, our brain tries to fit it into an existing category that we already understand. This allows us to make sense of the new information quickly and easily. For example, if we see an animal with fur and four legs, our brain might categorize it as a dog, even if it's actually a different animal like a wolf or a coyote. However, this categorization can also lead to biases and stereotypes. Our brain tends to categorize people based on superficial characteristics like race or gender, which can lead to unfair judgments and discrimination. It's important to be aware of these biases and challenge them in order to see people as individuals rather than as members of a category. Our brain's tendency to categorize information can also lead to errors in judgment. When we rely too heavily on our mental models, we may overlook important details or make assumptions that are not accurate. This can be especially problematic in situations that require critical thinking and careful analysis. To avoid these pitfalls, it's important to be mindful of how our brain categorizes information and be willing to challenge our assumptions. By remaining open-minded and flexible in our thinking, we can prevent cognitive biases from clouding our judgment and make more informed decisions.
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