Naturalistic Decision Making

#47: The Intelligence of Intuition with Gerd Gigerenzer

Oct 12, 2023

Gerd Gigerenzer, Director of the Harding Center for Risk Literacy, discusses the evolution of heuristics in decision-making and the importance of intuition in leadership. They explore the concept of intuition, influential figures on decision-making, and the limitations of classical decision theory in uncertain situations.

47:56

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Episode guests

Gerd Gigerenzer

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Heuristics play a significant role in decision-making, and their effectiveness should be examined rather than solely focusing on their shortcomings.

Intuition is an important decision-making tool that should be recognized and studied for its effectiveness in specific contexts.

Deep dives

Gerd Gigerenzer's interest in decision-making

Gigerenzer's interest in psychology and decision-making began when he had to choose between pursuing a career in music or academia. This personal decision sparked his curiosity and led him to study how people make important decisions in their lives.

Introduction

2min

The Guest's Journey from Musician to Studying Decision-Making in Psychology

2min

The Evolution of Heuristics and the Biases and Heuristics Approach in Decision Making

23min

Implementing a Model and the Importance of Intuition in Leading a Group

2min

Intuition: A Tool for Success

8min

Influence and Inspiration

10min

We are honored to be joined today by Gerd Gigerenzer. Dr. Gigerenzer is Director of the Harding Center for Risk Literacy at the University of Potsdam, Faculty of Health Sciences Brandenburg and partner of Simply Rational – The Institute for Decisions. He is former Director of the Center for Adaptive Behavior and Cognition (ABC) at the Max Planck Institute for Human Development and at the Max Planck Institute for Psychological Research in Munich, Professor of Psychology at the University of Chicago and John M. Olin Distinguished Visiting Professor, School of Law at the University of Virginia.

In addition, he is Member of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences, the German Academy of Sciences and Honorary Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the American Philosophical Society.

He was awarded honorary doctorates from the University of Basel and the Open University of the Netherlands, and is Batten Fellow at the Darden Business School, University of Virginia.

Awards for his work include the AAAS Prize for the best article in the behavioral sciences, the Association of American Publishers Prize for the best book in the social and behavioral sciences, the German Psychology Award, and the Communicator Award of the German Research Foundation.

His award-winning popular books Calculated Risks, Gut Feelings: The Intelligence of the Unconscious, and Risk Savvy: How to Make Good Decisions have been translated into 21 languages. His academic books include Simple Heuristics That Make Us Smart, Rationality for Mortals, Simply Rational, and Bounded Rationality (with Reinhard Selten, Nobel Laureate in economics).

His most recent book, The Intelligence of Intuition, is set to be published the week we are recording this podcast!

Learn more about Gerd:

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See more of his work

Where to find the hosts:

Brian Moon

Laura Militello