Do smart people do smart things? Why do some smart people do stupid things?

Intelligence and professional skills are closely related to our achievements at work and school, but psychological research shows that in terms of decision-making and critical thinking, intelligence and professional skills are not only less helpful; Maybe it makes us more likely to do stupid things.

The advantages of being smart are undeniable. Smart people are more likely to get better grades in school and develop better. Teenagers are less likely to get into trouble, and they are more likely to succeed in the workplace. Despite all the advantages of intelligence, you might be surprised that it doesn't predict other life outcomes.

You might think that good performance in school and work would bring more life satisfaction, but a large number of studies have not found evidence to confirm that IQ has an impact on life satisfaction or longevity. Researchers believe that most intelligence tests fail to predict real-world decisions and the ability of people to interact with each other. In other words, this may be why smart people do stupid things.

In other words, there is a certain connection between the ability to think carefully and health and longevity. Although often confused with intelligence, careful thinking is not intelligence. Thinking is a comprehensive reflection of cognitive skills, allowing us to think rationally around goals and use these cognitive skills at appropriate opportunities. thinkers are affable skeptics.

They are flexible, need evidence to support their ideas, and will recognize errors in those who try to convince them. Thinking means overcoming a variety of cognitive biases.

Thinking can predict a range of life events. In a series of studies, researchers found that thinkers rarely encounter bad things in their lives. Researchers invited people to complete a life survey and rated their thinking. These surveys cover five important thinking skills, including verbal reasoning, argument analysis, hypothesis testing, possibility and uncertainty, and problem solving.

Avoid doing stupid things

1. The most important method is to build your own thinking framework and establish a diversified way of thinking. First of all, I suggest that you work hard to broaden your knowledge; secondly, you must be brave enough to admit your own problems. For example, after reading today’s report, you will realize that you may encounter intellectual traps. Just realizing this will help you. It can help you jump out of your original thinking frame and conduct a more rational analysis.

2. You need to manage your emotions. Whenever you want to make a rational decision, stop, slow down, restrain your momentary impulse, and don't let your emotions control you.

3. Use the third perspective to reflect on yourself. This is a classic way to break out of habitual thinking, which is to think of your own affairs as other people's affairs.