Human intuition and bias
Photo by Kenny Eliason on Unsplash
Human intuition and bias
Believing in our intuition is a natural inclination that arises from a combination of factors. Intuition is a subconscious process that draws on our past experiences, knowledge, and emotions. It often provides quick, effortless responses to situations, which can be appealing when you are trying to analyze the competition picture. Furhtermore, you can't really blame yourself if you made the decision based on intuition. It was your intuition!
Our human brains are wired to recognize patterns and make rapid judgments based on limited information. This cognitive ability has helped humans survive and thrive throughout history, making us more likely to trust our gut feelings.
Additionally, intuition can offer a sense of comfort and confidence. It feels personal and unique, giving us a sense of inner wisdom and self-assurance. When our intuition aligns with positive outcomes in the past, we're further encouraged to trust it.
In uncertain or complex situations, intuition can act as a mental shortcut, saving us time and mental effort. That is just you being lazy.
However, while intuition can be beneficial, it's essential to balance it with critical thinking and reasoning. Striking a balance between intuition and rationality can lead to wiser decisions and a more comprehensive understanding of the world around us.
Intuition (and mysticism) and BOTB
I used to think that if I spotted an unusual high number of Lamborghinis one week it was a sign from the higher powers that I should play for that car in that particular week or if I accidentally clicked a coordinate I had no intention of playing it could be my guardian angel moving my finger to click that position in that crucial moment and I would certainly win if only I played that coordinate.
This behavior is similar to avoiding stepping on the lines of a sidewalk due to superstition. While intuition can be helpful (and muscle spasms lesser so) it needs some rational guidance. Consider it a good friend but don't believe everything it tells you. And certainly not what and where to play without adding your own critical thought to it.
Want to know more?
If you are interested in this kind of thing there are a couple of books I highly recommend. The Most known one on the subject is "Thinking Fast and Slow" by Daniel Kahneman
My personal favourite is the lesser known "The Drunkard's Walk: How Randomness Rules Our Lives" by Leonard Mlodinow. I would consider that one mandatory reading for people engaging in any type of lottery or gambling to get a better understanding of statistics and randomness.
Both books are available on Audible as audio books so you can listen to them on your commute or when you go for a walk. And remember kids - those who read live a thousand lives as they say ...