Thin Slicing Life

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Thin Slicing Life In the novel “Blink” by Malcolm Gladwell, thin slicing is used as a tool in life to make “snap-decisions” from one’s unconscious state of mind. This can be more effective rather than a complex thought process. In the classroom is where I feel I come in contact with thin slicing the most. When a difficult or random question is asked, occasionally I would get an answer right away but I wouldn’t think it was right. In that situation I would find out that my answer was actually correct. This makes my thought of the human brain to be more than what it really is. Thin slicing is said to be an idea of spontaneous decisions that can be equal or more effective than well thought out decisions. It is almost like the answer pops in your head right after hearing the question. It appears extremely quick and in some cases people don’t even recognize it. In the novel Gladwell refers to the ability of people’s unconscious and states “Thin slicing refers to the ability of our unconscious to find patterns in situations and behavior based on very narrow slices of experience.” Gladwell also says in his book that when the unconscious engages in thin slicing, it is like it is automated. This is very rapid and can be very effective if used correctly. In my opinion, in the world today everybody experiences thin slicing one way or another. Either you notice that you have thin sliced or you don’t know at all. My experience with thin slicing was mostly based on school and things I was really accustomed to. I just remember when I wouldn’t raise my hand for an answer sometimes when I was in school. Not because I didn’t have an answer but because I thought the answer would be incorrect. It’s almost like your “gut feeling”. So this shows people to take the chance and say or do what they think is right, because there is a good chance that they can be right.
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