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Irrationality




Irrationality is talking or acting without regard of Rationality . Usually pejorative, the term is used to describe Emotion -driven thinking and actions which are, or appear to be, less useful or logical than the rational alternatives. There is a clear tendency to view our own thoughts, words, and actions as rational and to see those who disagree as irrational.

Types of behavior which are often described as irrational include:


WHY DOES IRRATIONAL BEHAVIOR OCCUR?


The study of irrational behavior is of interest in fields such as Psychology , Cognitive Science , Economics , Game Theory , and Evolutionary Psychology , as well as of practical interest to the practitioners of Advertising and Proda .

Theories of irrational behavior include:
  • people's actual Interests differ from what they Believe to be their interests

  • mechanisms that have evolved to give optimal behavior in normal conditions lead to irrational behavior in abnormal conditions

  • people's interests are controlled by emotional mechanisms, and "rationality" as such is a meaningless concept

  • apparently irrational decisions are actually optimal, but made Unconsciously on the basis of "hidden" interests that are not known to the conscious Mind

  • Some people find themselves in this condition by living "double" lives. They try to put on one "mask" for one group of people and another for a different group of people. Many will become confused as to which they really are or which they wish to become.


Factors which affect rational behavior include:
  • Stress , which in turn may be emotional or physical

  • the introduction of a new or unique situation




SEE ALSO



REFERENCES

  • Stuart Sutherland , N. S. Sutherland. ''Irrationality: Why We Don't Think Straight''. ISBN 0813521505



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