Understanding intuition and how the mind works

Abstract

Steve Jobs, in his famous Stanford University Com- mencement Address (2005), advised students not to let the ‘noise of other’s opinions drown out your own inner voice,’ but rather ‘have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.’ Few psychologists would deny that we possess a subtle mind that can be a great source of strength, joy, and creative insight. However, as psycho- logical scientists, our task is to understand how the sub- tle, ‘intuitive’ mind works and thus avoid any simple- minded, romantic proclamations. Perhaps by seeking to understand how our intuitions can deceive us, we can learn to master our subtle, intuitive mind and cultivate greater strength, joy, and creative and reflective capaci- ties. In their fascinating book, The Invisible Gorilla and other ways our intuition deceives us, Christoper Chabris and Daniel Simons provide readers with unique insights into the illusions of the mind and how to master them. The book is wonderfully skeptical and scientifically well informed, but also colored by anecdotes and wit in rela- tion to the subtle ways in which our intuitive mind can deceive us. Notably,