Indecision is a character trait that is often viewed with suspicion. However, it would be a sign of intelligence, according to a study.
- “Indecision is often the product of perfectionism. Perfectionists are afraid of the shame or regret that can come from making the wrong choice, and so put off any decision until they are sure they are making the right choice,” according to the authors.
- Volunteers who scored high on Indecisiveness tended to be more open-minded.
When you have to make a choice, some manage to decide quickly. For undecided people, making a decision, even a small one, can be a real challenge, because they are constantly questioning themselves. In our society, being hesitant can annoy others. But recently, researchers at the University of Cologne, Germany, revealed that indecision can lead to making better choices and avoiding cognitive errors.
Determine the level of indecision of 1,306 adults
To reach this conclusion, they carried out a study published in the journal Personality and Individual Differences. “We investigated whether indecisiveness was related to reduced bias in thinking. data that are not”the scientists wrote.
In order to carry out the research, they looked at five cohorts including 1,306 people. Participants were asked to rate several statements, such as “my thoughts are often contradictory” or “I had trouble answering a question because I weigh the pros and cons first.” “If these statements speak to us, we probably have a high level of indecisiveness,” said, at the BBCJana-Maria Hohnsbehn, author of the works.
Indecision would be a sign of intelligence
According to the results, people with a high level of indecision take longer to decide. The authors found that they also have less bias when making judgments. Indecision promotes balance in the decision-making process and encourages consideration of various information in order to make the right choice.
According to the team, indecisiveness is only a problem when it becomes excessive. “As with most things, there is a balance to be struck. This could explain why indecisive people often score lower on measures of life satisfaction. Their indecision, when faced with important choices, has become overwhelming “, explained Jana-Maria Hohnsbehn. She recommended setting a time limit for making a final decision, so you don’t spend too much time thinking about the different options without learning new things.
