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An analytical approach yields confidence and satisfaction
by Richard L. Weaver II, PhD
An analytical approach to anything can
be taught, but it is much easier to learn if it feels comfortable. Just as
music or art tends to be self-selective, that is, those with some talent
already tend to gravitate to these areas, an analytical or critical approach
to life does the same. For some, analyzing, judging, comparing, and
contrasting is as natural as the air they breathe. It is part of any science
course — often referred to as “the scientific method” — but transporting
that point of view from the classroom and making it part of your everyday
perspective on life doesn’t always take place.
Analytical intelligence is improved and becomes more meaningful when it is
coupled with creative intelligence, or the ability to cope with novelty, and
with practical intelligence, or how we handle problems that occur in daily
life. What makes up “intelligence” is not the point of this essay, however.
If it is true that in society today, one of the prized attributes that
employers look for in new employees is analytic ability, what does that
mean? Or, to turn the question around, what could new employees do to
demonstrate analytic ability? Certainly colleges and universities would
contend that one of their primary goals is to teach students how to think
and write critically and analytically, but what does that mean, and how
would it be detected?
The first step in thinking critically and analytically is perspective. When
you realize that one person’s view of anything is partial, one-sided,
distorted, biased, and narrow, then it becomes immediately clear that the
only way to gain perspective is to stand back from the information given. It
could be that you are too close to see the whole, or it could be, too, that
you are so far away that you are unable to gain a close examination. Since
any position you assume distorts what you are observing, the key is to
examine the issue or object in detail and from many angles. Before doing
anything, gain perspective.
The third step in thinking critically and analytically is gathering and
evaluating evidence. Without evidence any observation or opinion is merely
an assertion. In its broadest sense, evidence refers to anything that is
used to determine or demonstrate the truth of an assertion. Gathering and
evaluating evidence is the process of finding and determining the
credibility of facts, opinions, statistics, and other data used to support a
belief or viewpoint. Gathering and evaluating evidence allows the critic or
analyzer to check closely to see what is accurate and what is false, compare
the same issue from a variety of the points of view of other theorists and
writers, determine and explain why one set of opinions, results, or
conclusions is preferable to another, and keep on guard for literary or
statistical devices that encourage taking questionable facts at face value.
The fourth step in thinking critically and analytically involves logic. One
needs to make certain that each statement follows logically from what went
before. In addition, flaws in reasoning, evidence, and in the way
conclusions are drawn must be examined. At this point, too, one can check
for hidden assumptions as well as attempts to lure one into agreement.
The fifth step in thinking critically and analytically is to look at
implications. The essential question is, where does or will this belief or
viewpoint lead? What conclusions are likely to follow? Are the conclusions
suitable? Rational? If not, should the belief or viewpoint be reconsidered?
The problem is that most people are subjective. That is, they offer
viewpoints and opinions that are strictly personal, individual, and
emotional, and they have engaged in no activities whatever that might lend
objectivity to their views with the exception, perhaps, of saying, “And I
know a lot of people who will agree with me on this.” That comment alone
reflects zero critical or analytical thinking.
In addition to subjectivity, poor critical or analytic thinking is reflected
in weakly structured ideas, opinions and viewpoints offered as narrative
[stories] instead of analysis, generalized points of view that are vague,
wordy, circular in their argument, and based on value judgments and
unfounded or unacknowledged assumptions. None of these form the foundation
of solid ideas, reasoned decisions, or sound solutions.
When you meet people who have some training in critical and analytical
thinking or who are naturally adept, you will detect it in the rigor they
use in approaching new situations, the precision they demonstrate in
expressing their viewpoints, their judicious selection of supporting
evidence, the way they present well-thought through arguments, and clearly
balance differing points of view. All of these reflect good critical and
analytical thinking, and they can be detected in interview situations when
interviewees are asked how they would make decisions or resolve problems in
totally new circumstances or unfamiliar situations.
When you learn to think critically and analytically, it is likely to have a
direct and immediate effect on your life. Why? Because of the number of
daily/weekly activities where it will be revealed. It will be displayed when
you persuade, or are the recipient of persuasion from others, in sales
situations or dealing with political techniques, in debunking con artists,
psychics, doubletalk, pseudoscience, and lies. More important, you will
develop greater confidence in your ideas, and you will find it more
satisfying to share them with others.
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An analytical approach yields confidence
and satisfaction
> An attitude of gratitude And Then Some
> Are you skeptical regarding change?
> Be aware of the myths that guide your life
An attitude of gratitude And Then Some
by Richard L. Weaver II, PhD
In 1907 the physician and
endocrinologist and world’s leading authority on stress and emotional and
physical responses to stress, Hans Selye — “the Einstein of medicine” —
said, “Among all emotions, there is one which, more than any other, accounts
for the presence or absence of stress in human relations: that is the
feeling of gratitude.” Striving for others’ gratitude served as Selye’s
guiding philosophy of life, and he believed it was the ultimate aim of
existence.
The information in this essay comes from the book, "Thanks! How the New
Science of Gratitude Can Make You Happier" (Houghton Mifflin, 2007), in
which professor Robert Emmons, from the University of California, at Davis,
shows that a systematic cultivation of the underexamined emotion can
measurably change people’s lives. I have borrowed from Emmons’ work, and I
use a minimum of quotation marks for the ease of reading.
There are three focal points in this essay. I examine the advantages of
living a life of gratitude. I list some of the obstacles to maintaining an
attitude of gratitude. Finally, I discuss strategies for overcoming the
obstacles and obtaining an attitude of gratitude And Then Some.
According to Emmons, “gratefulness is a knowing awareness that we are the
recipients of goodness. In gratitude we remember the contributions that
others have made for the sake of our well-being” (p. 6). You cannot be
grateful without being thoughtful; thus, “gratitude requires contemplation
and reflection.” Although Thanksgiving is an appropriate time to be
grateful; it can and should be expressed everyday of our lives throughout
our lives.
Physically, people who live a life of gratitude exercise more regularly,
show increased resilience in the face of trauma-induced stress, report fewer
illness symptoms, recover more quickly from illness, and benefit from
greater physical health.
In addition to emotional and physical benefits, there are interpersonal
benefits as well. A life of gratitude leads to increased feelings of
connectedness, improved relationships, and even altruism. In experiencing
gratitude, people feel more loving and forgiving, and gratitude maximizes
the enjoyment of others and our lives. By elevating, energizing, inspiring,
and transforming lives, it provides life with meaning for without it, it can
be lonely, depressing, and impoverished.
There are numerous obstacles to living a
life of gratitude. The first is simply that we don’t think about it very
often. Clearly, it flies below our radar screen. Second, as Americans we are
prone to laziness and inactivity, and according to Emmons, “Far from being a
warm, fuzzy sentiment, gratitude is morally and intellectually demanding”
(p. 17). There can be little wonder why it seldom operates within our range
of vision.
In addition to not thinking about it and our laziness and inactivity, Emmons
claims there are “monumental forces that undermine gratitude” (p. 155). He
lists five. The first is “the negativity bias.” Often it is easy to ignore
your blessings or even complain about them. Psychologists have identified a
natural tendency of the mind to perceive an input as negative — meaning that
incoming thoughts and emotions are more likely to be unpleasant than
pleasant. What this means in operational terms is that being a grouch, for
some, comes naturally.
Emmons’ second obstacle is “the self-sufficiency illusion.” You do not want
to admit or acknowledge how much you need others. Being indebted to others
is uncomfortable, and you would rather believe that your good fortunes are
your own doing although losses and sufferings are not your fault.
His third obstacle is “the emotional expression reluctance.” This obstacle
applies more to men than women, however, our culture emphasizes the
containment of emotional expression. There are perceived negative
consequences that inhibit people from expressing their feelings.
Emmons’ fourth obstacle is “the comparison bias.” You constantly evaluate
situations, events, other people, and yourself against standards of one type
or another. When you look around and see students with harder bodies,
coworkers with larger retirement portfolios, relatives whose children are
more grateful, neighbors whose SUVs are larger, you feel resentment and
envy, not gratitude. It encourages a focus on what you don’t have, not on
what you do.
His fifth and final obstacle is “the perception of victimhood.” When you
think of yourself as damaged goods — victimized at the hands of others
(parents, spouses, coworkers, or society) — your tendency to blame them can
be a strong resistance against gratitude.
Despite the many obstacles, however, there are a variety of strategies that
will help obtain an attitude of gratitude And Then Some. Here are nine. The
first is to keep a daily diary of positive, uplifting experiences.
Gratefulness on a daily basis is related to higher levels of optimism and
self-esteem. The second is simply reminding yourself to maintain a grateful
attitude. The third is to practice gratefulness when good things happen
because if “one is not grateful before challenges arrive, it is going to be
more difficult (though not impossible) to summon up gratitude after they
hit” (p. 181). The fourth is to view existence as a gift. Then “gratefulness
is an attitude underlying successful functioning over the life course” (p.
182). Along with viewing existence as a gift, you need to be grateful for
good health and your ability to touch, see, smell, taste, and hear.
Here are the remaining four strategies. The sixth is to remember the
bad—your sorrows, losses, sadness, and trauma—along with remembering where
you are now and how far you’ve come. Remind yourself of how much worse life
might be than it is. The seventh strategy is to leave yourself visual
reminders to be grateful—notes on the refrigerator or on your bathroom
mirror. The eighth strategy is to use the language of gratefulness—gifts,
givers, blessings, fortune, fortunate, and abundance rather than
deprivation, deservingness, regrets, lack, need, scarcity, and loss. A ninth
strategy is to play the role of a grateful person. When you go through the
motions, gratitude itself will be triggered. If you do it, the true feeling
of gratefulness will emerge.
Whether it is Thanksgiving or any other time during the year, there are
obstacles to obtaining a life of gratitude. The advantages of gratefulness,
however, should make it worthwhile to put the strategies for promoting an
attitude of gratitude into immediate use. These strategies will provide an
attitude of gratitude And Then Some.
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>
An analytical approach yields confidence
and satisfaction
> An attitude of gratitude And Then Some
> Are you skeptical regarding change?
> Be aware of the myths that guide your life
Are you skeptical regarding change?
by Richard L. Weaver II, PhD
Neuroscientists did a study of people being monitored by
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), while they were trying to process
dissonant or consonant information. Although it was about George W. Bush and
John Kerry, it could just as easily have been about John McCain and Barack
Obama. Here is what the neuroscientists discovered, according to
Carol Tavris and Elliot Aronson, in their book,
Mistakes Were Made, “the reasoning areas of the brain virtually shut
down when participants were confronted with dissonant information, and the
emotion circuits of the brain lit up happily when consonance was restored.”*
The conclusion from this study, arrived at by Tavris and Aronson, is, “These
mechanisms provide a neurological bais for the observation that once our
minds are made up, it is hard to change them.”**
Tavris and Aronson continue as they extend their conclusion, “Indeed, even
reading information that goes against your point of view can make you all
the more convinced you are right.” If this information were not so
important, I would choose to paraphrase it or condense it, but Tavris and
Aronson are making an incredible statement here:
“In one experiment, researchers selected
people who either favored or opposed capital punishment and asked them to
read two scholarly, well-documented articles on the emotionally charged
issue of whether the death penalty deters violent crimes. One article
concluded that it did; the other that it didn’t. If the readers were
processing information rationally, they would at least realize that the
issue is more complex than they had previously believed and would therefor
move a bit closer to each other in their beliefs about capital punishment as
a deterrence. But dissonance theory predicts that the readers would find a
way to distort the two articles. They would find reasons to clasp the
confirming article to their bosoms, hailing it as a highly competent piece
of work. And they would be supercritical of the disconfirming article,
finding minor flaws and magnifying them into major reasons why they need not
be influenced by it. This is precisely what happened. Not only did each side
discredit the other’s arguments; each side became even more committed to its
own.”***
I am writing this essay during the final two weeks of the presidential
campaign of 2008, and there is no question that the campaign has taken on a
negative, even hostile, quality. Barack Obama is ahead in the polls, a
democratic landslide is being forecast by some observers, and the McCain
forces are turning to character assassination, instead of differences in
policy on major issues, to try to swing voters their way in these final
days. It is clear from the research conducted by the neuroscientists cited
in the opening paragraph of this essay, that very few (if any) voters are
likely to be swayed by this desperation advertising whether by the
candidates, direct mailers, or the all-too-frequent, negative robo-calls.
(We live in Ohio, one of the “must-win” states, thus, the advertising blitz
has been intense/insane.)
This is not a political essay. My intention is to show how difficult it is
to change. Imbued with a belief, a value system, or an attitude is likely to
be “all there is to it.” But, look at the many areas affected by this desire
to remain in consonance with ones beliefs, values, and attitudes.
First, and foremost, it affects persuasion and persuaders. What is the
likelihood that one persuader (in a single speech) can influence his or her
listeners? From the research cited in this essay, it suggests the job is
nearly impossible. How many of your listeners (if you were the persuader)
could be considered “swing voters” (those who haven’t made up their mind
before your speech) on your topic? Those are likely to be the ones who have
a slight chance of being persuaded — maybe. But, remember it is a single
speech only not a campaign blitz.
Second, it affects those making New Year’s Resolutions. Of course it does.
All those who are trying to change their behavior with a resolution that is
supposed to create that change beginning January first, are in for a big
surprise. Well, no surprise at all. The research has clearly indicated that
such resolutions do not work. The research above would certainly lend
further support to that conclusion.
Third, it would affect teachers (of mature adults, and by that I don’t mean
senior citizens alone) of students. When people get to be the age of college
students and older, it would seem that it becomes less and less likely that
teachers — those who are expecting changes in attitudes or behaviors on the
part of their students — can make major inroads into the actions and
behaviors students bring to them.
One of the reasons this conclusion deeply affects me is simply that in my
teaching of speech courses (e.g., interpersonal or public communication), a
certain degree of change is taught and expected. A simple guess might be
that the changes detected and rewarded (with grades) are likely to be
short-lived. It makes sense. Students know how to play the “game of change”
when the reward is an improved grade!
Fourth, expectations for change have been the basis of the “And Then Some”
philosophy and approach. If you read about my hopes and desires with the
publication of the
And
Then Some Publishing L.L.C. series of books, you will clearly detect the
goal of growth, development, and change in readers. Can it be that such
hopes and desires are pipe dreams? Impossible to expect; impossible to
imagine?
If you read the research, of course that is true. And the skeptics certainly
have a point. Change is nearly impossible. But there are a number of caveats
that make my writing worthwhile and rewarding. First, when people are truly
open and flexible, change becomes more likely. Second, often those who are
already prone to believing in or acting according to the ideas being written
about, are those who enjoy reading ideas that buttress and support their
ideas. They want reinforcement. Third, an intelligent audience reads and
accepts ideas they favor just as easily as they read and reject ideas they
do not. Intelligent readers enjoy the diversity and the alternatives they
are given. A variety of different viewpoints is a challenge to the
intelligent reader.
Change may be tough, but it is not completely impossible. It may be simply
that we need more independent and swing voters! —intelligent independent and
swing voters!
Footnotes:
*Carol Tavris and Elliot Aronson (2007).
Mistakes were made (but not
by me): Why we justify foolish beliefs, bad decisions, and hurtful acts.
Orlando, FL: Harcourt, Inc. (A Harvest Book). P. 19.
**The citation on the study: Drew Westen, Clint Kilts, Pavel Blagov, et al.
(2006), “The Neural Basis of Motivated Reasoning: An fMRI Study of Emotional
Constraints on Political Judgment During the U.S. Presidential Election of
2004,” Journal of Cognitive
Neuroscience, 18, pp. 1947-1958.
***The citation for this research finding is: Charles Lord, Lee Ross, and
Mark Lepper (1979), “Biased Assimilation and Attitude Polarization: The
Effects of Prior Theories on Subsequently Considered Evidence,”
Journal of Personality and
Social Psychology, 37, pp. 2098-2109.
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>
An analytical approach yields confidence
and satisfaction
> An attitude of gratitude And Then Some
> Are you skeptical regarding change?
> Be aware of the myths that guide your life
Be aware of the myths that guide your life
by Richard L. Weaver II, PhD
Myths guide your actions. As important
as it is for you to exercise, follow effective nutrition guidelines, and get
sufficient sleep, in many cases your attempts to do what will keep you
healthy are affected by and, thus, in some cases, contravened by myths. Some
of these myths are wired into you, and no matter what scientific evidence is
offered, they remain anchored, fixed, and secure.
You may wonder why myths often have such a stranglehold over you and your
actions? First, they are what give support to your moral values. Whether it
be a belief in faith, authority, human empathy, genuine feelings for others,
or rational principles, myths buttress your system of moral values. Second,
they give you your personal identity. Identity is an ongoing negotiation
within you, between how you choose to narrate particular scenes and the
culture within which you live. “I am part of a tightknit family,” “I am part
of a larger community,” or “I am part of God’s kingdom,” all can be true;
however, each plays a role in the formation of your personal identity.
Showing loyalty to your family, town, church, or nation is the result of
believing in the “sense of community” myth — and loyalties to friends or
community are the result of strong myths that reinforce social bonding.
The third reason myths have such a restrictive hold over you is that they
are a way to deal with the mystery of and fears relating to creation and
death. For many people it is this related set of myths that provide solace.
“It is in the nature of humans to wonder about the unknown and search for
answers,” writes Lindsey Murtagh
http://www.cs.williams.edu/%7Elindsey/myths/myths.html, in “Common
Elements in Creation Myths.” She writes, “At the foundation of nearly every
culture is a creation myth that explains how the wonders of the earth came
to be. These myths have an immense influence on people's frame of reference.
They influence the way people think about the world and their place in
relation to their surroundings.”
But, what about the myths that guide your everyday life in the areas of
exercise, nutrition, and sleep? How powerful are they? Without them, you are
lost. Why? Because they create meaning out of your life and actions. Because
they make you believe that you matter, that your daily life has meaning, and
that your activities fulfill the myths that guide your actions.
For most reasonable people, the operative philosophy regarding exercise is:
“It works.” Why it’s important is discussed on the website longevity
meme.org
http://www.longevitymeme.org/news/view_news_item.cfm?news_id=3633 At
this website, it states that exercise helps avoid damage caused by a
sedentary lifestyle, hastens recovery from injuries, and prevents falls.
Also, aerobic fitness may prevent a diminished functional capacity,
including obesity, diabetes, hypertension, myocardial infarction, stroke,
some forms of cancer, and osteoporosis.
Just as there are myths that guide exercising, there are myths, too, that
guide the value we give nutrition and diet. The first is that there is a
perfect diet that will work for everyone. Just as an example, some people do
very well on vegetarian diets while others crash and burn. “One size only
fits the people who come in that size,” according to the
www.health.com,
http://yourtotalhealth.ivillage.com website. Other myths mentioned at
www.health.com,
http://yourtotalhealth.ivillage.com include, “Cutting carbohydrates
helps you lose weight,” “Diet foods help you drop pounds,” “The more you cut
calories, the more weight you’ll lose,” “Dairy makes you fat,” or “Brown
equals whole-grain.”
At the
www.healthcastle.com website, two of the nutrition myths discussed there
include sugar and fat. The first myth is that sugar causes diabetes; sugar
intake will not cause you to develop the disease. Type 2 diabetes results
primarily from three risk factors: 1) a diet high in calories, 2) being
overweight, and 3) an inactive lifestyle.
The myth regarding fat is that all fats are bad. Fact is, fats assist
nutrient absorption, support nerve transmission, and help maintain cell
membrane integrity. Of course, if consumed in excessive amounts they
contribute to weight gain, heart disease, and certain types of cancers. But,
not all fats are created equal according to
www.healthcastle.com. What you have to do is replace bad fats with good
fats.
The Medical News Today
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/66363.php website debunks ten
common myths regarding nutrition that include eating immediately after a
workout to improve recovery, the trouble eating fiber can cause if you have
irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), the necessity for consuming extra protein to
build muscle mass, that vitamin supplements are necessary for everyone, that
all alcohol is bad for you, that eating eggs will raise your cholesterol,
that brown grain products are whole grain products, the need to drink eight
8-oz. glasses of water per day, and that eating carbohydrates will make you
fat. These are all myths.
In addition to myths governing the way we exercise and eat, there are myths
that affect our sleep as well. At the Sleep Disorders
http://sleepdisorders.about.com/od/gettingtosleep/a/sleepmyths.htm
website two of the twelve myths discussed there are, first, that you can
“cheat” on the amount of sleep you get. It can be dangerous to both physical
and mental health to do so. Second, it is a myth as well, that you can
“catch up” on sleep missed. Once you miss hours of sleep, they are gone
forever.
The point of this essay is not necessarily the myths themselves but how
myths govern our actions. Because of their importance in our lives, it is
wise to be aware of them, check them out, and be flexible in altering those
that no longer --- or never did! --- serve a useful purpose.
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>
An analytical approach yields confidence
and satisfaction
> An attitude of gratitude And Then Some
> Are you skeptical regarding change?
> Be aware of the myths that guide your life
