In 2011, a fascinating study observed a group of judges as they decided whether to grant parole to prisoners. You might assume that the main factors influencing their decisions would be the nature of the crime, the length of the sentence, or the prisoner’s behavior. Surprisingly, the time of day turned out to be a significant factor. Prisoners who appeared before the judges in the morning were more likely to be granted parole than those who appeared in the afternoon, even if their cases were similar.
This unexpected finding can be explained by a concept known as decision fatigue. As the day progresses, judges, like anyone else, experience cognitive exhaustion from making numerous decisions. This fatigue makes them more impulsive and less confident in their choices. While decision fatigue is particularly concerning in high-stakes situations like judicial decisions, it also affects our everyday lives.
So, what types of decisions lead to fatigue, and how can we manage it? Our bodies use energy for both physical and mental activities. Although it’s not entirely clear what resources are depleted during mental exertion, research suggests that most people have a daily limit for decision-making. Once this limit is reached, individuals tend to avoid making new decisions or delay them.
The speed at which one reaches this threshold depends on factors such as the frequency, complexity, and novelty of the decisions. For instance, deciding what to eat for breakfast is usually straightforward. It’s limited by available options and is a routine decision with low stakes. Even if you’re unsure, the time between this decision and the next allows you to recover any cognitive energy used.
Now, imagine a more complex situation: your car breaks down unexpectedly, and you need to replace it immediately. This decision is significant, with numerous options and potential consequences, requiring hours of research to evaluate the pros and cons. Since this is not a frequent decision, you’ll need to determine which factors are most important. The urgency adds stress, and you might second-guess your choice later, wondering if more time would have led to a different decision. After such a demanding decision, most people would reach their decision-making limit.
In professions where individuals make multiple critical decisions daily, decision fatigue can be particularly dangerous. Judges, as seen in the 2011 study, often face challenging decisions consecutively, with little time to recover. Researchers are especially concerned about decision fatigue in medicine, where doctors work long shifts filled with life-or-death decisions. Studies have shown that medical professionals are more prone to mistakes during extended shifts.
Addressing decision fatigue requires institutional changes, but there are practical ways to reduce its impact in our daily lives. One effective strategy is to make fewer decisions each day by spreading tasks over several days or eliminating some routine decisions. It can be less taxing to offer advice on a difficult decision than to make it yourself, so try to view your decisions as if they were someone else’s before considering their impact on you. Lastly, remember that not every decision is equally important. Learning to relax about minor issues can help conserve energy for the decisions that truly matter.
Examine a real-world scenario where decision fatigue might play a role, such as in healthcare or law. Identify the factors contributing to decision fatigue and propose strategies to mitigate its effects. Present your findings in a group discussion.
Participate in a simulation exercise where you must make a series of decisions under time constraints. Reflect on how your decision-making process changes as you progress and discuss the experience with your peers.
Keep a diary for one week, documenting all the decisions you make each day. Analyze your entries to identify patterns of decision fatigue and brainstorm personal strategies to manage it effectively.
Engage in a role-playing exercise where you take on the role of a professional facing decision fatigue, such as a judge or doctor. Discuss with your group how decision fatigue impacts your role and explore potential solutions.
Work in teams to design a framework or tool that helps individuals or organizations manage decision fatigue. Present your framework to the class and explain how it addresses the challenges of decision fatigue.
In a 2011 study, researchers followed a group of judges deciding whether to offer imprisoned individuals a chance at parole. Logically, one might expect factors like the individual’s crime, existing sentence, and current behavior to be the primary considerations. However, one variable had a surprisingly large impact: the time of day. Individuals who met with the board in the morning were far more likely to receive parole than those whose cases were reviewed in the afternoon, even if their crimes and sentences were nearly identical.
This finding might seem unusual, but the researchers explained it simply: in the afternoon, the judges were likely experiencing decision fatigue. This cognitive exhaustion occurs after a period of extended decision-making, making people more impulsive and less confident in their choices. The dangers of decision fatigue are evident in high-stakes scenarios like this study, but it can also significantly affect our daily lives.
So, what kinds of choices lead us to this state, and how can we combat fatigue? Everything our bodies do—whether physical or mental—uses energy. While it’s unclear exactly what resources are depleted during mental strain, studies suggest that many individuals have a daily threshold for making decisions. Once that threshold is met, most people tend to “take it easy” and postpone serious thinking about new decisions.
How quickly one reaches this threshold depends on several factors, including the frequency, complexity, and novelty of the decisions at hand. For example, choosing what to eat for breakfast isn’t very taxing; this decision is limited by what’s available and is a choice you expect to make once a day with relatively low stakes. Even if you’re unsure about what to eat, the time between this minor decision and the next should allow you to recover any cognitive energy expended.
Now, consider a more complicated scenario: your car suddenly breaks down, and you need to replace it right away. This unexpected decision has serious consequences and involves countless options, requiring hours of thoughtful research to weigh various pros and cons. Since this is a decision you don’t often make, you’ll also need to identify what considerations are most important. The time pressure can add stress during the decision-making process and afterward, as you may wonder if you would have made a different choice with more time. After just one decision of this magnitude, most people would have reached their decision-making threshold.
In professions where individuals must make multiple high-stakes decisions daily, decision fatigue can be even more dangerous. Judges, like those in the 2011 study, often face difficult decisions back-to-back, leaving little time to recover. Many researchers are particularly concerned about decision fatigue in medicine, where doctors work long shifts filled with life-or-death decisions. Some studies have found that medical workers are more likely to make critical mistakes during extended shifts.
Addressing these issues requires institutional changes, but there are direct ways most of us can avoid fatigue in our daily lives. One simple strategy is to make fewer daily decisions, spreading your to-do list over multiple days or even eliminating some routine decisions altogether. It’s often less draining to offer advice on a difficult decision than to make that choice yourself, so it can be helpful to think of your decisions as if they were someone else’s before considering how the consequences impact you. Finally, it’s essential to remember that not every choice is equally important, and learning to relax about minor issues can help conserve energy for the decisions that truly matter.
Decision Fatigue – The deteriorating quality of decisions made by an individual after a long session of decision-making. – After hours of meetings, the manager experienced decision fatigue, leading to less effective choices in the afternoon.
Cognitive Exhaustion – A state of mental fatigue resulting from prolonged periods of intense cognitive activity. – The students felt cognitive exhaustion after the marathon study session for their psychology exam.
Critical Decisions – Decisions that have significant consequences and require careful consideration and judgment. – In high-stakes professions, making critical decisions under pressure is a crucial skill.
Mental Activities – Tasks or processes that involve the use of cognitive functions such as thinking, reasoning, and problem-solving. – Engaging in mental activities like puzzles and strategic games can enhance cognitive abilities.
Decision-Making – The cognitive process of selecting a course of action from among multiple alternatives. – Effective decision-making is essential for leaders to navigate complex organizational challenges.
Complex Situations – Scenarios that involve multiple variables and require sophisticated analysis to understand and address. – Psychologists often study how individuals cope with complex situations to improve therapeutic interventions.
High-Stakes Professions – Occupations where the outcomes of decisions can have significant impacts on individuals or society. – Surgeons and pilots are examples of high-stakes professions where precision and accuracy are paramount.
Strategies – Plans or methods developed to achieve a specific goal or solve a problem. – Developing effective strategies for stress management can improve mental health and productivity.
Impulsive Choices – Decisions made quickly and without sufficient thought, often driven by emotions rather than rational analysis. – Impulsive choices can lead to negative outcomes, highlighting the importance of self-control in decision-making.
Everyday Lives – The routine activities and experiences that constitute daily existence for individuals. – Understanding how psychological principles apply to our everyday lives can enhance personal well-being and interpersonal relationships.
