Success Idea

One of the largest determinants of success is the decisions we make in life. Every day we are faced with decisions, from deciding what color tie to wear to the meeting to deciding whether to circle a or b on the last test question. I believe some people underestimate the impact of everyday small decisions. If people could evaluate their own decision-making process, identify the flaws, and change it if necessary, they would be more likely to be successful. Too many people fail to realize the degree to which the decision making process impacts the likelihood of choosing the best option. I believe game-theory(as well as other the other decision making strategies taught in economics) is a concept that is very underutilized by people. Game theory is a decision-making strategy that turns a simple decision into a game, and the person evaluates the consequences of each of the options. I believe there are large potential gains available from learning game theory. If you can master everyday decision-making, wouldn't you be far more likely to be successful?

Thought Provoking Ideas

1. I recently came up with the idea that if used properly, the information taught in psychology courses could be used to the advantage of those who study it. How so? Psychology studies how the human brain works. If one can gain a solid understanding of such, could it be possible for that person to manipulate their own brain? If so, and the student is one with a large degree of aptitude to begin with, isn't it quite possible that this student could escape what impedes understanding? If psychology students can understand what hinders understanding, and made a conscious effort to escape such, wouldn't they be more likely to understand concepts than other students? 


2. Is there a correlation between money and happiness? This is a topic open for debate in some behavioral economics courses. And if so, what is the cause of the correlation? If not, what is the largest determinant of happiness to begin with? Personally, I believe the largest determinant of individual happiness is one's ratio of "happy hormones"(dopamine, seratonin, etc.) to "sad hormones"(Prolactin, etc.). 


3. Linguistic determinism is a concept taught in college-level psychology courses. It essentially says that humans are incapable of thinking of concepts and objects that they can't assign words to. Assuming this is true, isn't it quite possible that to advance the intellectual capabilities of a single society(a society that speaks only one language), that a possible way to achieve this goal is by simply creating more words in the language? Creating more words will allow People of this hypothetical society to escape the limits of human consciousness proposed by the idea  of linguistic determinism, therefore increasing the likelihood of discoveries and the like.