Thinslicing is the ability of your brain to make decisions or judgments before you have the time to think about them. In the book gladwell tells us many different stories that have to do with thin slicing. Thinslicing is using the small amount of information that is known to come to a conclusion without further searching for. The power of thinking without thinking 2005 is malcolm gladwells. Before the theory of thinslicing was proposed, most of the research done on our talents for reading other people was focussed on body language and lie. One might think that thinslicing is tailormade for stereotyping, since it involves judging a book by its cover. Tech via flickr malcolm gladwells first two bestsellers, the tipping point and blink, earned him a place on times 2005 most influential people list.
You tell a human interest story and learn from it along the way. Mar 09, 2018 the cognitive theory behind this kind of strange, but natural, impulse called thin slicing is the main topic of blink. In the book gladwell tells us many different stories that have to do with thinslicing. Blink is a book about how we think without thinking, about choices that seem to be made in an instant in the blink of an eye that actually arent as simple as they seem. Gladwell states that, we thin slice because we have to, and we really come to rely on that ability since there are lots of concealed fists out there, lots of occurrences where keen attention to the details of super thin slice,even for not more than a. In blink, gladwell zooms in on thin slicing, a psychological process in which were constantly. Blink is a book by malcolm gladwell explaining this theory of thin.
Gladwells theories come packaged in nifty little tales, like paul reveres midnight ride revere, you see, was both a maven and a connector or the thinslicing psychologist who, after a mere. The money shot in blink is thin slicing, gladwells term for that ability to make a rapid judgment on a small amount of data. This clear and detailed summary and analysis is a valuable resource for anyone who wants to understand gladwells bestselling book. Do you think you could hire someone by thinslicing the candidate during a brief. At first glance you might want to think of rapid cognition as intuition or a gut feel somewhat of an emotional perception, unconscious or perhaps irrational. It presents in popular science format research from psychology and behavioral economics on the adaptive unconscious. The psychologist, samuel gosling, shows how thinslicing can be used to judge peoples personality when he uses the dorm room. In gladwells descriptions of thin slicing, he found that in all cases knowing a very specific, small amount about someone or something enables an observer to more accurately predict or conclude. How a little bit of knowledge goes a long way summary and analysis blink by malcolm gladwell. This book is only 277 pages long, but there are dozens of stories about thinslicing. Blink is about the power of thinking without thinking. Summary of the book blink by malcolm gladwell reveals the key ideas and statements. The psychologist john gottman, for example, became known for being able to determine with a 90% correction rate if a marriage would perpetuate.
Malcolm gladwell visited powells city of books on january 25. Riper believed that strategy and complex theory were inappropriate and futile. Jan 16, 2005 this book is only 277 pages long, but there are dozens of stories about thin slicing. The power of thinking without thinking 2005 is malcolm gladwell s second book. According to malcolm gladwell, its the tendency that we have as human beings to reach very rapid, very profound and sophisticated conclusions based on very thin slices of experiences. The case of amadou diallo in blink, by malcolm gladwell, is one example of unsuccessful thinslicing. The power of thinking without thinking paperback april 3, 2007. Aug 04, 2009 thin slicing by malcolm gladwell, blink denzel washington s life advice will leave you speechless listen this everyday and change your life duration. The book has examples of successful thin slicing, examples showing how it works and what it accomplishes. Blink is a book by malcolm gladwell explaining this theory of thinslicing. Do you think you could hire someone by thinslicing the candidate during a brief interview. Blink is about the first two seconds of lookingthe decisive glance that knows in an instant. He proposes that our thinslicing the ability to identify and process only the most essential aspects of a situation in milliseconds. His work is a classic example of conscious and deliberate thinking.
Thinslicing refers to the ability of our unconscious to find patterns in situations and behavior based on very narrow slices of experience. Thinslicing and sexual terrorism reading blink 2012. The term is most often used in the discussion of malcolm gladwells 2005 nonfiction book blink, which analyzes the concept of thinking without thinking. In gladwell s descriptions of thin slicing, he found that in all cases knowing a very specific, small amount about someone or something enables an observer to more accurately predict or conclude. The money shot in blink is thin slicing, gladwell s term for that ability to make a rapid judgment on a small amount of data. Malcolm gladwells mindblowing ideas business insider. The term thinslicing means making very quick decisions with small amounts of information. Aug 03, 2005 malcolm gladwells blink is a fascinating exploration of rapid cognition, the thinking that takes place within the blink of an eye. Gladwell describes thin slicing as unconsciously sifting through the situation in front of us, throwing out all that is irrelevant while we zero in on what really matters. Put simply, thin slicing is the ability to grasp a situation or problem in the blink of an eye without having to analyze it in detail. This time around gladwells basic thesis is that often snap judgements what he calls thin slicing. The technique relies on using our unconscious ability to find patterns in situations and behaviors based on small experiences. The term means making very quick inferences about the state, characteristics or details of an individual or situation with minimal amounts of information.
Now, in blink, he revolutionizes the way we understand the world within. An analysis of the examples of thinslicing in blink by. Blink study guide contains a biography of malcolm gladwell. Gladwells response would contain an explanation of thin slicing. The author describes the main subject of his book as thinslicing. This accessible and insightful 52page summary and analysis is structured as follows. A beautiful, beautiful book which deserves to be republished by a mass house and properly marketed. Thinslicing, snap judgments, and the power of thinking without thinking. Blink is a book about how we think without thinking, about choices that seem to. Gladwells theory, thinslicing, is the concept that our unconscious mind makes lightning decisions based on preconceived notions about observed behaviors and situations. In a psychological experiment, normal people given fifteen minutes to examine a students college dormitory can describe the subjects personality more accurately than. The cognitive theory behind this kind of strange, but natural, impulse called thin slicing is the main topic of blink.
Or do you think this would only work for certain kinds of jobs or perhaps, only certain kinds of people. The great thing about thinslicing, argues gladwell, is that we can all do it, especially when it comes to thinslicing each other. The theory of thin slicing suggests that all probability occur within a blink of an eye. The theory of thin slicing humans can take a small amount of data a thin slice and draw conclusions from it using a combination of experience and intuition. The power of thinking without thinking using a tried and tested technique. Malcolm gladwells blink is a fascinating exploration of rapid cognition, the thinking that takes place within the blink of an eye. Nov 17, 2008 malcolm gladwell s secrets of success. Evolution has honed our social intelligence, allowing us read people accurately based on fleeting first impressions which is why speed. Snap judgments are sneered at, but should we put more trust in them.
The case of amadou diallo in blink, by malcolm gladwell, is one example of unsuccessful thin slicing. Thin slicing is the ability of your brain to make decisions or judgments before you have the time to think about them. The book has examples of successful thinslicing, examples showing how it works and what it accomplishes. Malcolm gladwells book, blink, about the usefulness and importance of rapid cognition illustrated and sparked questions about our complex and mysterious brain. The book has examples of successful thin slicing, examples showing. But gottman is a master of thin slicing a part of rapid cognition that refers to the ability of the unconscious to find patterns in situations and behavior based on. In effect, gladwells book is an exercise in thin slicing. The power of thinking without thinking by malcolm gladwell.
In blink, gladwell introduces the concept and power of thinslicing with the story. Achieving three tasks, gladwell marshals anecdotes, statistics, and a little bit of theory to persuasively argue his case. Thinslicing by malcolm gladwell, blink denzel washingtons life advice will leave you speechless listen this everyday and change your life duration. There s one about new coke, which seemed to test so well, but flopped. Evolution has honed our social intelligence, allowing us read people accurately based on fleeting first impressions which is why speed dating and chatroulette might actually be a good idea. One of the possible inconsistencies in gladwell s argument, one that sometimes arises in different parts of his book, is that of initial impressions. He makes the point that our unconscious does this very well, and often delivers a better answer than more deliberate ways of thinking. Thinslicing by malcolm gladwell, book called blink youtube. In his book blink, gladwell provides us with two more phrases.
Apr 25, 2020 the term thinslicing means making very quick decisions with small amounts of information. A few thin slices of malcolm gladwell by dave, february 8, 2005 9. A few thin slices of malcolm gladwell powells books. Gladwell s books would be more intellectually honest. Thin slicing is a term used by psychologist and philosophers, but what does it mean. This book is an interesting read because this topic concerns everyone since instinctive decision making is common. Tech via flickr malcolm gladwell s first two bestsellers, the tipping point and blink, earned him a place on time s 2005 most influential people list. Thinslicing by malcolm gladwell, book called blink. Thinslicing is using the small amount of information that is known to come to a conclusion without further searching for more information. The theory of thinslicing humans can take a small amount of data a thinslice and draw conclusions from it using a combination of experience and intuition. Thin slicing occurs subconsciously in several instances of our lives ranging from passing a judgment within a few seconds of just meeting a new person, or the ability to. But in fact, gladwell argues, thinslicing can be more fairminded and objective than rational assessment because it reduces the number of opportunities for easy stereotyping. But thinslicing also works with nonexperts if youre looking at something which. The power of thinking without thinking is one of the most illuminating works i have ever read.
Gladwells books and articles often deal with the unexpected. In blink, gladwell zooms in on thin slicing, a psychological process in which were constantly reading peoples personalities within seconds of seeing them. Malcolm gladwell redefined how we understand the world around us. Malcolm gladwell makes the case for thin slicing in blink. But if one were to visit the football players room and see his book.
One might think that thin slicing is tailormade for stereotyping, since it involves judging a book by its cover. Before the theory of thinslicing was proposed, most of the research done on. The theory of thin slices in malcolm gladwells blink. Humans can take a small amount of data a thinslice and draw conclusions from it using a combination of experience and intuition. The cognitive theory behind this kind of strange, but natural, impulse a theory gladwell colloquially refers to as thin slicing is at the very heart of blink. May 30, 2019 achieving three tasks, gladwell marshals anecdotes, statistics, and a little bit of theory to persuasively argue his case.
Blink can help readers understand when thin slicing is useful and when analytical thinking should be relied on instead. A word popularized in malcolm gladwells book blink. To blink is to act without thinking, working on split second decisions to make choices. Mar 06, 2009 before the theory of thin slicing was proposed, most of the research done on our talents for reading other people was focussed on body language and lie detection. The most detailed book summary of blink by malcolm gladwell. The power of thinking without thinking, malcolm gladwell the author describes the main subject of his book as thin slicing. Gladwell, the bestselling author of the tipping point, campaigns for snap judgments and mind reading with a gift for translating research into splendid storytelling. Nov 07, 2008 gladwells theories come packaged in nifty little tales, like paul reveres midnight ride revere, you see, was both a maven and a connector or the thinslicing psychologist who, after a mere. The total power of thinking without thinking, thin slicing refers to the act of making a decision or making a judgment within a limited time, with limited information. No doubt that gottman and company are good at quickly figuring out the future of a couple, but to have gotten to that point required years of observation that has habituated and pruned them to. But in fact, gladwell argues, thin slicing can be more fairminded and objective than rational assessment because it reduces the number of opportunities for easy stereotyping. Arguing that thin slicing would be a more effective method to use in this scenario, and that people cannot fully rely on first impressions to make good judgment calls in this particular situation. When we thinslice, our unconscious picks out the information that is relevant and leaves the rest. Gladwell posits that thinslicing can have its uses or can be a mistake.
John gottman, author of some wonderful books you can read on this website as well, became famous for predicting with a 90% accuracy rate which couples would divorce just by looking at a 15 minutes conversation between them. Blink by malcolm gladwell blink discussion guide libguides at. Recently, i picked up malcolm gladwells blink again. Jul 19, 20 the cognitive theory behind this kind of strange, but natural, impulse a theory gladwell colloquially refers to as thin slicing is at the very heart of blink. Why are some people brilliant decision makers, while others are consistently inept. He proposes that our thinslicing the ability to identify and process only the most essential aspects of a situation in milliseconds, without any conscious knowledge of doing so is responsible for much of. Building his case with scenes from a marriage, heart attack triage, speed dating, choking on the golf course. But gottman, it turns out, can teach us a great deal about a critical part of rapid cognition known as thinslicing. Malcolm gladwell context and background summary of blink overview of the book introduction the statue that didnt look right chapter 1 the theory of thin slices. Gladwell says we are thinslicing all the time when we go on a date, meet a. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. Sep 12, 2018 summary of the book blink by malcolm gladwell reveals the key ideas and statements.
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