MINDLESSNESS

This book argues that humans have a propensity toward mindlessness when making decisions.  The author emphasizes that the American school system teaches in a manner that focuses on one particular answer rather than encouraging an exploration of all possible solutions.  The focus is for children to categorize data and remember ‘facts’ which will later be used to complete multiple-choice tests (goal-oriented outcome).  However, she suggests a better process would be to teach the children to first generate their own list of possible alternative answers or options and then choose the correct answer.  Unfortunately, by continuing to teach in a goal-oriented outcome manner, our children develop patterns of mindlessness.  This has ramifications later in life.

As adults much of our behavior is based on habits developed in childhood.  When we are young, our brains are less sophisticated and do not question what is told to us by parents, teachers or other important individuals in our lives.  In fact, we may mimic or model the behavior of our parents or older siblings – simply because of their proximity.  The author refers to these as ‘premature cognitive commitments’.  As one becomes an adult, it would be ideal to now become more mindful.  Being mindful simply means trying to avoid relying on a habitual response to life.  Since many of the ‘cognitive commitments’ (habits) were formed at a young age before the brain was fully developed, it may not be the best answer for a particular problem.  Taking the time to be more mindful to explore all the possible solutions and choosing the best answer will lead to development of new habits.  For example, let’s say you always have tomato juice with your Denver omelet.  This has been a family tradition since you were age 6.  As a child, you never questioned why your mom served tomato juice with the omelet but recalled her once saying that her dad liked it that way.  Now as an adult, you’ve also grown accustomed to taking two Alka-seltzer because you now seem to get heartburn reliably after each Denver omelet.  An example of mindfulness would be the next time you go to the restaurant, you ask the waitress what other drinks are available besides tomato juice.  You select apple juice.  For the first time in 10 years, you do not have heartburn.  You ask your doctor the next week and she tells you that tomato products can cause heartburn.  In theory being more mindful can lead to improved relationships, better mental health and improved overall personal growth.

I recommend reading Mindfulness by, Ellen J. Langer