| Psychology Newsletter
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| INTRODUCTION Psychology is a discipline concerned with the functioning of the human mind, mainly the functions that influence the behaviour of persons in a given situation. The focus of this paper is on the subject of Quasi-rationality- the middle ground between analysis and intuition on a cognitive continuum.
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| QUASI-RATIONALITY Quasi-rationality is also defined as the middle area of the cognitive continuum, and it is a type of imperfect reasoning that takes the features of both intuition and analysis. FINISH READING ON PG. 2 | |||
| Misconception of Quasi-rationality People have varied assumptions on Quasi-rationality of which some of them are not true FINISH READING ON PG. 2 | |||
| Decisions based on quasi-rationality Most of the engagements by human beings are based on the concept of Quasi-rationality. FINISH READING ON PG. 2 |
| The CONCEPT of | ||
QUASIRATIONALITY | ||
| Quasi-rationality describes the middle ground between intuitive and analytic cognition. It strikes a balance between the two extremes and harnesses the unique advantages of both concepts. The concepts of intuition and analysis have been casually used for so long even in some circumstances where they are used to describe a phenomenon which it is not. It is thus necessary to redefine these concepts and use them appropriately to define the appropriate phenomenon. This move is what has instigated the concept of quasi-rationality that is used to describe the situation between the two extreme forms of cognition. Quasi-rationality is also defined as the middle area of the cognitive continuum, and it is a type of imperfect reasoning that takes the features of both intuition and analysis (Hammond, 2010, p.330). It is closely associated with common sense that has been in existence for a while, yet there has never been a perfect way to describe what it is. Quasi-rationality is often applied in many tasks because it takes the characteristics of both analysis and intuition. According to Hammond, 1996, most of the cognitive activities of human beings are quasi-rational; it is a typical form of cognition where the judgement is neither purely analytical nor purely intuition. It does not strike a perfect balance between the two types of cognition but takes different proportions of the two. Positive or adaptive features of cognitive activities often result from the flexible cognitive engagements that result from quasi-rationality. They are not often negative features emanating from letting us say emotions or stress as was described by Lee in his commendable review. Latest research analysis on intuition has neglected the positive aspect of the variability of cognitive behaviour because, among other factors, it ignores the variability of task conditions. More research indicates that there is measurable support for the importance of a wandering mind in problem solving and creativity. This mind often comes up with solutions for complex issues (Dhami et al., 2015, p.320) Changes in behaviour that are as a result of changes in cognitive engagements are essential for survival in unfriendly environments. Organisms that have very unpredictable behaviours are less likely to be attacked and killed by their predators than those whose behaviours are predictable. Based on this narrative, quasi-rationality can be described as an adaptive and thus defensible (in a positive light) form of cognition. The term quasi-rationality is used to describe this form of cognition because more research is yet to be done on this subject to offer meaningful descriptions that will contribute to more knowledge of this concept (Dhami, Belton, Mandeep and Goodman, 2015, p.240). MISCONCEPTION REGARDING QUASI-RATIONALITY Quasi-rationality has often been termed as imperfect rationality that is not a good representation of human judgement. However, this form of rationality borrows concepts from the two extreme cognition and describes the situation therein. It represents the common phenomenon for most human judgements. Most people tend to believe that quasi-rationality strikes a perfect balance between the two extreme cognition- intuition and analytical. However, the truth is that it contains a percentage of each cognition that does not have to be equal. It can topple more on the analytical side than it will on the intuition side and vice versa (Mosier, 2009, p.154). Looking at the concept of intuition that informs a segment of quasi-rationality, many people tend to base most of their judgements on their intuition which should not always be the case as it does not always yield favourable results. Application of quasirationality will help create a balance and improve on the sanity of some of the decisions. Extreme dependence on either the intuitive or the analytic cognition to make decisions may lead to impaired judgement; thus, the need to always strike a balance between the two. | A judgement can be termed as more analytical than intuitional and vice versa, yet it is still quasi-rational depending on the prevailing attributes present in the ordinary engagements. Quasi-rationality is not imperfect rationality or a form of rationality that has not been well orchestrated. It is a good representation of a human judgement that does not fall in either of the extreme forms of cognition. The term quasi was introduced by Egon Brunswuki (1952) to describe his ‘Probabilistic Functionalism’ from the Hull-Spence stimulus-response theory and to put more emphasis on the flexibility and adaptive variability of cognitive behaviour. Quasi-rationality is very adaptive, and based on Egon’s view, most of the ecological situations vary a lot and depict some level of uncertainty. | |
| DECISIONS BASED ON QUASI-RATIONALITY Quasi-rationality has been equated to common sense. People attribute certain behaviours to common sense. The concept of common sense has been there for a while, but the details about it have never been unravelled well. Common sense entails making judgements based on both aspects of intuition and analysis. Quasi-rationality takes the features of both intuition and analysis and establishes a middle ground on the cognitive continuum. Most of the engagements that require the use of common sense apply the concept of Quasi-rationality. Quasi-rationality is very beneficial in management. Leaders oversee people of different calibres. Some people are very sharp in their thinking and behaviour while others are not. Thus the administration ought to know how to handle the various issues that affect these people. Relying on one extreme of the cognitive continuum to make decisions concerning these people may not be very effective; thus, the need to incorporate the qualities of both extremes. Quasi-rationality strikes the middle ground that determines the leadership style to be employed. Instances, where negotiations are made, implore the application of quasi-rationality. People involved in various negotiations are often in either of the extremes of the continuum cognition. Some people may be intuitive in their approach of handling issues while others may be analytical. Thus there is a need to strike a balance between the two extremes to come up with an amicable solution. | ||
| “To irrational principles, one cannot be loyal. Ideas that are not derived from reality cannot be consistently practiced in reality.”Ayn Rand | |||
QUASI-RATIONALITY | |||
DECISION-BASED ON QUASI-RATIONALITY | |||
| Taking a quasi-rational approach will help avoid disagreements among the people where some people may feel neglected out of that negotiation process. Judges in court often take a quasi-rational stand in their rulings. Rulings that have exclusively taken either an intuitive approach or analytical approach have always resulted in some of the people feeling disadvantaged with the decisions. Most of the judgments that have either taken an exclusive intuitive stand or analytical stand have always been termed as unfair. Due to this, judges often take a quasi-rational approach while making their rulings in courts. The nature of tasks determines the kind of cognitive approach to be taken. However, some tasks require the application of both cognitive approaches. These kinds of tasks, therefore, have to employ quasi-rationality in their actualisation. | An example of such a task includes the activities of businesspersons who have to apply both intuition and analysis in all their undertakings. Doctors and nurses in hospitals are faced with different and unique cases in their work. Some of these cases are very complex and require a lot of analysis, while some are beyond analysis and require the application of intuition. Most of the diseases that they handle require a lot of analysis to diagnose them. However, when it comes to handling the patients, they have to apply quasi-rationality as they deal with people of different calibres. Military persons and army are other categories of persons who apply quasi-rationality in their operations. These persons operate in different environments, and they ought to be very alert as they go about their activities. | ||
| They require to make a lot of strategies to overcome the enemies that they fight with. This aspect calls for a lot of analysis in their operations. Although the concept of intuition cannot be ignored, the gut feeling often helps them escape the traps that the enemies set for them. This aspect calls for the application of quasi-rationality that encompasses both intuition and analysis. Generally, the concept of quasi-rationality is common among human beings. It informs how they conduct themselves and the activities that they engage in. Overreliance on one cognitive ability may result in misunderstanding among people, especially if they do not subscribe to the same side of the cognitive continuum. However, this narrative does not disqualify the exclusive use of either intuitive or analytical capability. Questions on Quasi-rationality The concept of quasi-rationality is less understood by many persons yielding a lot of questions that researchers ought to give more information about it. Most of the people term the qualities of quasi-rationality as intuition, yet they are different. One of the questions that researchers ought to address is, ‘what is the connection between task properties and the type of cognition induced?’ Every task that an individual engages in invokes a specific cognition; either analytical cognition or intuitive cognition. The relationship has not been explained in other literature, thus the need for further clarification. Another question that ought to be addressed by researchers on quasi-rationality is its relationship with common sense. ‘What is the relationship between quasi-rationality and common sense?’ Common sense has always been associated with quasi-rationality. Does that mean that people with no common sense do not have quasi-rationality? Conclusion The concept of quasi-rationality is gaining roots in the field of pyschology, with more researchers getting interested in it. Initially,
References Dhami, Mandeep K., Ian Belton, and Jane Goodman-Delahunty. “Quasirational models of sentencing.” Journal of Applied Research in Memory and Cognition 4.3 (2015): 239-247. Dhami, Mandeep K., and Mary E. Thomson. “On the relevance of Cognitive Continuum Theory and quasirationality for understanding management judgment and decision making.” European Management Journal 30.4 (2012): 316-326. Hammond, Kenneth R. “Intuition, no!… quasirationality, yes!.” Psychological inquiry 21.4 (2010): 327-337. Mosier, Kathleen L. “Searching for coherence in a correspondence world.” Judgment and Decision Making 4.2 (2009): 154.
| The researchers were only concentrating on the concept of intuition and analysis, the extreme points of the cognitive continuum, but now they are gaining interest in quasi-rationality. Most of the activities that people engage in are based on quasi-rationality cognition. This aspect is because the tasks that are exclusively based on the extreme points of the cognitive continuum are few. Most of them operate in between which is defined by quasi-rationality. As highlighted above the concept of quasi-rationality is being applied in many areas including in military camps where the military men have to exercise quasi-rationality in their engagements. They have to strike a balance between the extremes of the cognitive continuum to be efficient in their engagements. Doctors and nurses also practice this concept in their work because they deal with patients of varied traits. Some of these patients are more inclined to the analytical point of view, while some are inclined to the intuitive point of view. In order to be effective in their jobs, they have incorporated both points of view, which is all about quasi-rationality. This concept has been marred with several misconceptions, including; some believe that it is imperfect rationality that is not fit to represent human judgement. People tend to have more regard for intuitive cognition and analytical cognition. However, quasi-rationality is perfect rationality that encompasses both extremes. Another misconception is that it perfectly represents the two extreme points of the cognitive continuum. However, this narrative is not true as it can represent varying percentages of the two extremes of the cognitive continuum. It can topple to either side of the continuum. It is important for people to understand the cognitive continuum and know which cognition to apply in different contexts. Specific tasks called for specific cognitions. Some tasks are analytical while some require the application of intuitive ability of persons. |