Deciphering human choice behavior is like unraveling a perplexing riddle. Over the past five decades, cognitive and social scientists have grappled with the illogical decisions people consistently make. Are these choices evolutionary adaptations or merely a haphazard mix of competing mechanisms? This review offers a fresh perspective: human choice is efficiently irrational. Like finding the perfect balance between precision and efficiency, our decision-making reflects a finely tuned optimization process. By connecting dots across disciplines, researchers have unearthed a compelling insight. The apparent irrationalities in choice behavior stem from a deliberate trade-off—increasing the precision of our choices entails diminishing benefits. In other words, our decision-making mechanisms appear flawed on the surface, yet they represent an adept navigation of the costs and gains involved.
For the past half-century, cognitive and social scientists have struggled with the irrationalities of human choice behavior; people consistently make choices that are logically inconsistent. Is human choice behavior evolutionarily adaptive or is it an inefficient patchwork of competing mechanisms? In this review, I present an interdisciplinary synthesis arguing for a novel interpretation: choice is efficiently irrational. Connecting findings across disciplines suggests that observed choice behavior reflects a precise optimization of the trade-off between the costs of increasing the precision of the choice mechanism and the declining benefits that come as precision increases.
Dr. David Lowemann, M.Sc, Ph.D., is a co-founder of the Institute for the Future of Human Potential, where he leads the charge in pioneering Self-Enhancement Science for the Success of Society. With a keen interest in exploring the untapped potential of the human mind, Dr. Lowemann has dedicated his career to pushing the boundaries of human capabilities and understanding.
Armed with a Master of Science degree and a Ph.D. in his field, Dr. Lowemann has consistently been at the forefront of research and innovation, delving into ways to optimize human performance, cognition, and overall well-being. His work at the Institute revolves around a profound commitment to harnessing cutting-edge science and technology to help individuals lead more fulfilling and intelligent lives.
Dr. Lowemann’s influence extends to the educational platform BetterSmarter.me, where he shares his insights, findings, and personal development strategies with a broader audience. His ongoing mission is shaping the way we perceive and leverage the vast capacities of the human mind, offering invaluable contributions to society’s overall success and collective well-being.
