Decision Making and Control

The speaker shares a personal story about his wife's breast cancer diagnosis and the difficult decisions they faced. He questions the common belief that being in control is always best and describes a study he conducted to explore decision-making roles. Participants were divided into groups to choose or be assigned tea before solving puzzles. Results showed that those not in control performed better, suggesting that sometimes it's beneficial to let others take charge. The speaker concludes with a positive update on his wife's health and reflects on the peace of mind gained by letting doctors make decisions.

What was the most challenging aspect of the speaker's wife's cancer experience?

• Making numerous treatment decisions

• The initial diagnosis

• The hospital visits

• The family history of cancer

What traditional belief about decision-making does the speaker question?

• That decisions should be made by experts

• That decisions should be delayed

• That being in control is always best

• That decisions should be made quickly

What is the speaker's field of study?

• Psychology

• Financial advising

• Medical research

• Human decision making

In the study described, what were participants asked to do?

• Drink tea and relax

• Choose a financial advisor

• Solve puzzles without any aid

• Choose a type of tea and solve puzzles

What was the main finding of the study regarding control and performance?

• Control had no effect on puzzle-solving

• Participants not in control solved more puzzles

• Both groups solved the same number of puzzles

• Participants in control solved more puzzles

What does the acronym INCA stand for in the context of the study?

• Immediate, Negative, Complex, Agency

• Immediate, Neutral, Concrete, Agency

• Immediate, Negative, Concrete, Agency

• Immediate, Negative, Concrete, Action

What is a potential downside of being in the driver's seat during decision-making?

• Increased confidence

• Reduced effort and persistence

• Better outcomes

• More control over the situation

How did the speaker and his wife handle decision-making during her treatment?

• They made all decisions themselves

• They let the doctors make the decisions

• They delayed making decisions

• They consulted with family members

What was the outcome of the speaker's wife's cancer treatment?

• The cancer spread

• The cancer returned

• The treatment was ineffective

• The cancer went into remission

What emotional benefit did the speaker and his wife experience by letting doctors take control?

• Peace of mind

• Increased anxiety

• Frustration

• Indecisiveness