https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UH-zGioc2zw
You can use the following PDF companion to follow the video
Lesson #24 - Decision Fatigue (Finished).pdf
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"You'll see I wear only gray or blue suits. I'm trying to pare down decisions. I don't want to make decisions about what I'm eating or wearing. Because I have too many other decisions to make."
- Barack Obama
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In a 2011 study, researchers observed judges determining parole for imprisoned individuals. Contrary to expectations that the decision would primarily depend [on / in / by] factors like the crime, sentence, and behavior, it was found that the time [at / of / in] day significantly influenced [the / an] outcome. Prisoners seen in the morning had a higher chance of receiving parole compared to those reviewed in the afternoon, regardless of similar crimes and sentences. This was attributed to the judges experiencing decision fatigue by the afternoon.
Decision fatigue, a state of cognitive exhaustion [by / from / of] prolonged decision-making, leads [by / to / from] impulsive and less confident choices. This phenomenon is not only relevant in high-stakes scenarios, such as in the judicial system, but also affects daily life. It arises because all activities, physical or mental, consume energy. Research indicates [a / the] daily threshold for decision-making; once reached, people tend to avoid further complex decisions.
The ease of reaching this threshold varies based on decision frequency, complexity, and novelty. Routine decisions, like choosing breakfast, are [less / more] taxing due to their familiarity and low stakes. However, unexpected and complex decisions, such as urgently replacing a broken-down car, require extensive research and consideration, quickly depleting decision-making capacity. High-stakes professionals, [like / as] judges and doctors, are particularly susceptible [to / for] decision fatigue due to the continuous need to make critical decisions.
To combat decision fatigue, one can adopt strategies like reducing daily decision-making, spreading tasks [over / through / by] multiple days, or eliminating routine decisions. Imagining oneself advising [on / for / at] a decision rather than making it can also lessen [the / a] mental load. Additionally, recognizing the varying importance of decisions and not overemphasizing minor ones helps conserve cognitive energy for more significant choices. Addressing decision fatigue requires both personal strategies and institutional changes, especially in professions involving frequent high-stakes decisions.