Microblogs #7 - Why We Make Mistakes

References:
Title: Why We Make Mistakes
Author: Joseph T. Hallinan
Editor: Donna Sinisgalli, 2009

Chapter #0:
Summary:
In this chapter, Hallinan describes a few examples of common mistakes, why they can sometimes be helpful, and also some ways we can fix them. He then goes into an overview of the topics of the book in brief.

Discussion:
This chapter was interesting because of all of the experiments he talked about related to mistakes. My definite favorite was being able to remember better if you studied in the same situation as you are remembering. I want to try this for a test at some point.


Chapter #1:
Summary:
In this chapter, Hallinan describes how people don't see as well as they think they do. From missing the switching of people in a movie scene to misjudging the sizes of tables, he describes many examples of our lack of sight. He also mentions that this one we cannot correct.

Discussion:
I really enjoyed this chapter because the author presented many examples that I enjoyed reading about and subjecting myself to. Not to mention, he also mentioned some scary facts about cancer examination and TSA screenings.


Chapter #2:
Summary:
In this chapter, Hallinan discusses errors in our memory. He talks about forgetting passwords, faces, and names. He then talks about how our minds remember based on meaning, not base observations, and how by applying meaning to objects in your life, you can help your own memory.

Discussion:
As with the last chapter, the most memorable part of the chapter was the finish, in which he describes the unreliability of eyewitness testimony. I figured it was quite reliable, like I am sure most people do, so learning that it is not is shocking.


Chapter #3:
Summary:
In this chapter, Hallinan describes how we rely on our first instinct in many situations when we shouldn't. From the influence of faces to the influences of colors, he shows that we allow our initial impression to take control.

Discussion:
The most interesting part of this chapter for me is again at the end, when he talks about switching test answers. I remember when I was studying for the SAT that I was told not to switch my answer, and it still seems right to me now. I don't know if given the chance I could change my answer on a test even if I wanted to.


Chapter #4:
Summary:
In this chapter, Hallinan describes how our perceptions are biased, often without us knowing. He talks about how we like to make ourselves look better in hindsight -- from grades, to the statements we make -- and how we deny it later. He then describes the negative influence this causes in the real world.

Discussion:
The part of this chapter that was the most eye-opening was the section discussing the effects of industry warnings. I found it interesting that people would take a bigger advantage of you if you were warned about them than otherwise.


Chapter #5:
Summary:
In this chapter, Hallinan discusses our ability to multitask -- or more accurately how we do not have an ability to multitask. He talks about how the constant distractions of multiple tasks actually impede our ability to work. He then describes how this can be a fatal problem in real-time situations such as planes or cars.

Discussion:
This chapter had a lot of scary examples that truly hammer in the point of how bad distractions can be. When I saw the Microsoft sync system before I thought it was a really cool idea, but now after seeing all of the statistics of accidents caused by such systems, I think that maybe they should hold off on it.


Chapter #6:
Summary:
In this chapter, Hallinan discusses the psychological influences of framing -- that is, influences around a decision that affect that decision consciously or otherwise. For example, low sale prices driving sales when other prices actually rise or french music causing an increase in french wine sales.

Discussion:
This chapter was interesting because you get to see more of the tactics of economics. So far, many of our books have pointed out the interesting psychology behind making money-- and every time I've seen it so far, it's been frighteningly effective. I am never going to think about buying things in the same way again.


Chapter #7:
Summary:
In this chapter, Hallinan describes the human tendency to skim -- not just with words, but also with information. He discusses the problems with proofreading as well as how much we rely on context to determine the truth of a situation.

Discussion:
This chapter was interesting to me because of the section on how experts tend to skip over the details. For programmers like us, this is probably a liability, since we might make small mistakes and it will take us forever to finally discover the real problem. This is also why it's a good idea to have someone else look over your code.


Chapter #8:
Summary:
In this chapter, Hallinan discusses the human trait of reorganizing information. From distorting locations in maps to distorting the truth in stories, people change the information that they give all of the time. Even more interestingly, they sometimes do it unconsciously.

Discussion:
This chapter was interesting because Stanley Milgram got mentioned again. However, for once, he wasn't mentioned solely for the obedience to authority experiment, although it was mentioned. I have to say that the experiment he mentioned here seemed a lot less interesting than the authority experiment, though.


Chapter #9:
Summary:
In this chapter, Hallinan describes the differences in psychology between the sexes. From asking for directions to confidence in stock trading, men and women have differing viewpoints on the world.

Discussion:
By far the most interesting part of this chapter was the section on how overconfident men tend to be. I think this is probably because we are raised to show ourselves as confident even when we are not. Also, the section on the lack of women in CS was also interesting to read, mostly because I can see how true it is by looking in our department.


Chapter #10:
Summary:
In this chapter, Hallinan shows us the power of overconfidence in shaping our mistakes. From horse races to credit cards, people everywhere are taking advantage of our tendencies to think we are better than we are.

Discussion:
This chapter was interesting because of how many of these mistakes I have made. Both the gym example and the confidence quiz example made a fool out of me. Interestingly enough though, I think that overconfidence is actually necessary; if we didn't have it, we would probably be frozen whenever we had to make a choice.


Chapter #11:
Summary:
In this chapter, Hallinan describes the errors that come because we would rather not learn new things. From nail-guns to simple puzzles, we would rather not read the instructions -- and even if we do, we probably won't do it a second time.

Discussion:
This chapter was interesting because we got to hear from our best friend Donald Norman again. Also, I liked the thinking outside the box problem, even though I didn't figure it out.

This probably has some lessons for computer scientists, too. For example, people probably won't use all of the new features on your product because they like doing it their way -- even if the new feature makes that method shorter.


Chapter #12:
Summary:
In this chapter, Hallinan discusses the problems we have when we do not use constraints. Without constraints and affordances, people are significantly more likely to make mistakes. Additionally, since these mistakes are often blamed on the lowest person, we also miss their root causes.

Discussion:
This chapter was interesting because Donald Norman appeared again in this book, but not by name. Instead, his concepts of affordances and constraints showed up. I guess that shows how useful they are.


Chapter #13:
Summary:
In this chapter, Hallinan describes the effects of our future perspectives. He shows us that while we think we know what we will like later, often we are wrong. In fact, many of the people we expect to be least happy are actually the happiest, for example.

Discussion:
I thought this chapter was interesting because I never new there was such an immigration and emigration flow into California. I have relatives there and visit regularly and would NEVER want to live there. I think that I probably have incorrect perceptions about living in other areas, though.


Conclusion:
Summary:
In this chapter, Hallinan sums up the book by giving us some fixes we can apply to our own lives to keep from repeating the errors he has shown. His biggest tip is just to think small -- that is, look at the small details behind your actions and you will be able to see why you make mistakes.

Discussion:
I liked this chapter because we finally get a list of tips we can use to keep from making all of these errors ourselves. Hallinan does a good job of iterating through all of the chapters and giving small tips that can help us. I don't know if I will be able to learn any or all of them, but it's something to strive for.