Wishful thinking, also known as "wishful thinking" in English, is a psychological phenomenon that involves people's tendency to interpret reality according to their desires and not objective evidence. In other words, it is the tendency to think that things are how one would like them to be, instead of how they really are. This type of thinking can have various implications in the way we perceive the world and make decisions, and can lead us to make mistakes and not face reality adequately.
Origin and Characteristics of Illusionary Thinking
Illusory thinking has its roots in complex cognitive and emotional processes. In psychology, it has been widely studied as part of cognitive biases, which are systematic patterns of deviation from rationality in human thinking. These biases can manifest themselves in different ways, but in the case of wishful thinking, the influence of emotions and desires in the interpretation of reality stands out.
People tend to resort to wishful thinking in situations of uncertainty, anxiety, or desire to achieve a specific result. Instead of evaluating the situation objectively and realistically, they cling to the idea that things will turn out the way they want, even if the evidence indicates otherwise. This may be due to the need to maintain hope, reduce anxiety, or preserve self-esteem.
Main characteristics of wishful thinking:
- Selective interpretation: People tend to pay more attention to information that supports their desires and ignore or minimize information that goes against them.
- Self-deception: Gets involved in creating of an alternative reality that fits what one desires, even if objective evidence does not support it.
- Avoidance of cognitive dissonance: Wishful thinking can serve as a mechanism to avoid facing contradictions between what is desired and what is actually observed in reality.
Impact of Illusionary Thinking on Decision Making
Illusory thinking can have a significant impact on the way we make decisions in various aspects of our lives. By basing our decisions on unrealistic desires and expectations, we run the risk of making mistakes that could be avoided if we were more objective and realistic in our evaluation of situations.
Among the aspects that wishful thinking can influence in decision making are:
1. Emotional decisions
In situations where emotions are strongly involved, such as in personal relationships or work decisions, illusory thinking can lead us to ignore warning signs and move forward with an option that is not the most appropriate. For example, someone who deeply desires a loving relationship may overlook obvious problems that indicate the relationship is unhealthy.
2. Investment decisions
In the financial field, wishful thinking can lead to making irrational decisions based on desires to obtain high returns without adequately evaluating the associated risks. This can result in significant losses due to a biased assessment of the reality of markets and investments.
3. Health decisions
In health care, wishful thinking can influence the adoption of unhealthy behaviors or the avoidance of necessary preventive measures. For example, a person who wants to believe that smoking is not harmful to health may ignore the warnings of medical professionals and continue smoking, despite the consequences demonstrated by science.
How to Combat Illusionary Thinking
Recognizing the presence of illusory thinking in our lives is the first step to counteract its negative effects. Below are some strategies to combat this type of thinking and encourage a more objective and realistic view of reality:
1. Practicing self-awareness
Taking time to reflect on our thoughts and emotions can help us identify when we are falling into the trap of wishful thinking. Being aware of our desires and how they influence our perception of reality allows us to question our assumptions and make more informed decisions.
2. Seek multiple sources of information
To avoid selective interpretation of information, it is important to seek different perspectives and points of view on a topic before reaching a conclusion. Exposure to a variety of opinions and evidence can help counteract the tendency toward self-deception and broaden our understanding of the situation.
3. Practice acceptance of reality
Accepting that reality may not always coincide with our desires is essential to avoid falling into illusory thinking patterns. Learning to accept uncertainty and face situations as they are, rather than as we would like them to be, helps us make more informed and realistic decisions.
4. Seek external feedback and opinions
Asking feedback from trusted people can be an effective way to counteract wishful thinking. Listening to different perspectives and being open to constructive criticism allows us to question our beliefs and decisions, avoiding falling into cognitive traps based on irrational desires.
Conclusions
Illusory thinking, represented by \\\\ "Wishful thinking" is a common psychological phenomenon that can have a significant impact on the way we perceive reality and make decisions. By understanding the characteristics and implications of this type of thinking, we can adopt strategies to combat its negative effects and encourage a more objective and realistic view of the world around us.
Ultimately, recognize the presence of the Wishful thinking in our lives gives us the opportunity to grow, learn, and make more informed decisions, based on evidence and reason rather than unrealistic desires. By facing reality with courage and acceptance, we can avoid falling into cognitive traps that prevent us from seeing things as they really are.