by Rick Baker
On Nov 3, 2010
Figuring other people out…now there’s a challenge.
There is much to consider.
The task is a worthwhile one: but, where to start?
2 suggestions on how to prepare for doing a better job of understanding other people:
- Riders, Elephants, & Their Paths: Dr. Jonathan Haidt’s metaphor
- The Rider: the logical part of us that struggles to control how we think and how we act
- The Elephant: the emotional part of us that tends to do whatever it wants
- The Path: the situation, which will alter Rider-Elephant action
- Primary and Secondary Factors that Influence How People Think: Dr. David J. Leiberman
- Primary Factors:
- Self-esteem…the person’s view of self-worthiness
- Confidence…how the person feels about the task/situation at hand
- Level of Interest…does the person have a vested interest, what's at stake
- Secondary Factors:
- Effort...how much emotional, physical, financial work must the person do
- Justification...the person’s rationalization
- Beliefs...the person’s beliefs, whether or not those beliefs are true/accurate
- Mood…the person’s frame of mind
More about understanding other people in future Thought Posts…