Nudge cover image

Nudge

Should you trust your gut?

Mar 3, 2025
Gerd Gigerenzer, a world-renowned psychologist and former director at the Max Planck Institute, shares insights on the power of intuition in decision-making. He argues that gut instincts often outperform complex data analyses, especially in high-pressure situations like sports and business. Gigerenzer discusses how overthinking can hinder performance, and presents studies showing that simple rules can predict outcomes better than intricate models. He challenges the conventional reliance on data, emphasizing that less can indeed be more when making decisions.
28:12

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Intuition can outperform complex analysis in decision-making, as experienced professionals often make faster, more accurate choices under pressure.
  • Simpler decision-making models, such as heuristics, can yield better predictions than intricate data-driven approaches, challenging conventional beliefs about data reliance.

Deep dives

The Case Against Relying Solely on Gut Instinct

Following intuition can lead to poor decisions, as illustrated by the fable of The Monkey and the Fisherman. In this story, a monkey acts impulsively on its gut instinct to fish, resulting in dire consequences when it fails to understand the complexities of the task. This cautionary tale resonates in various contexts, particularly in the business world, where a reliance on gut feelings has been linked to the failures of investors and entrepreneurs. The narrative pushes the idea that informed decision-making should always be grounded in data, learning, and careful thought.

Get the Snipd
podcast app

Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
App store bannerPlay store banner

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode

Save any
moment

Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways

Share
& Export

Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode