Making Better Decisions - High Construal Theory
- Tania
- Apr 17, 2021
- 2 min read
Updated: Sep 17, 2024
Our decisions define who we were, are and will be.
Individuals who choose advantageously reap the benefits of those decisions, whilst those that don't are left wondering how they ended up left behind.
The most efficient decision is one that maximises the total pie - regardless of whether self or other benefits most.
People tend to make the most efficient decision (the one that results in the most overall value for the group) when they engage the bigger picture. When they see the forest for the trees.
High level construal is thinking abstractly - focusing on the central features that encapsulate the overall gist of a situation.
The mechanism to achieve a big picture perspective is the creation of psychological distance from the ambivalence of a decision.
Distance can be created on the dimension of time (projecting into the future), physical proximity (taking space), or imagination (considering a hypothetical rather than real situation).
When we create psychological distance from a decision, we see things in line with long-term goals. We see beyond the immediate considerations of the here and now.
A high construal mindset positions us to rely on our internal values when making decisions (Sagristano et al., unpublished manuscript). This ensures congruence in our decisions, values and behaviours. The fundamental feature of personal integrity.
High-level construal allows our to step back and see the likely consequences of our choices. This enables us to handle ambivalence wisely - facilitating clarity over the best way to allocate resources, like time and energy.
Next time you feel ambivalent over a decision, experiment with the implementation of high level construal.
Explaining the Complex Effect of Construal Level on Moral and Political Attitudes. Alper. April 2020.
https:/dpi.org/10 1177/096372141989636
The role of construal level in promoting maximized joint outcomes. Stillman, Fujita, Sheldon, Trope. 2018. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 2018; 147: 16 http//doi.org/10.1016/j.obhdp.2018.05.004
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