This week I continued my reading of Blink by Malcolm Gladwell. In the first half of the book, Gladwell elaborates upon his theories behind "the power of thinking without thinking." Many people before Gladwell had thought about the intricate concepts behind quick-judgments and brash decisions. To gather credible information, Gladwell went to go and visit people for field research. Anecdotes and expert testimonials help to establish his credible, hence persuading his readers to buy into his theories.
Gladwell begins with telling a story about the Getty Museum purchasing a supposedly ancient Greek sculpture, despite being warned that it may be a copy. Many experts advised against this brash decision, yet the Getty Museum put their hopes up and took a bet. Gladwell uses this story to explain how it was not logic that led to quick decisions, but rather "an instinctive sense." All the Getty Museum saw was an old looking sculpture, but one man was able to see in an instant its great value. Gladwell's use of this anecdote allows him to convey the importance of instinct behind decision-making. He also uses this to suggest that not all acts are committed based upon logic, but rather a gut-feeling. "
In addition to anecdotes, Gladwell utilizes expert testimonials on establishing his credibility to convey and strengthen his argument: that decision-making is done through a complex process. IN one section, Gladwell discusses about a young couple who came to the University of Washington to be analyzed. John Gottman, a psychologist, recorded their conversations about their dog to determine how long they would be married. John Gottman produced astounding results, discovering that "with a jaw-breaking 90% accuracy" he was able to predict that "the couple would fail to remain married after 15 years." Gladwell's use of expert testimonials is not only engaging to the reader, but also very humorous. Gladwell is able to further convey the importance of past experiences in the process of decision-making, and how that in turn makes behavior predictable.
Using anecdotes and expert testimonials, Malcolm Gladwell effectively argues the significance of instinct and past experiences behind making decisions. By engaging the audience and establishing his credibility through referencing experts, Gladwell persuades the reader of the complex nature of decision-making. Although I am still in the beginning sections of the book, I have learned a lot about psychology; more specifically, the reasoning behind making decisions. I truly believe that Gladwell is an effective writer in teaching his audience about complex ideas in an easily comprehensible way.
Gladwell begins with telling a story about the Getty Museum purchasing a supposedly ancient Greek sculpture, despite being warned that it may be a copy. Many experts advised against this brash decision, yet the Getty Museum put their hopes up and took a bet. Gladwell uses this story to explain how it was not logic that led to quick decisions, but rather "an instinctive sense." All the Getty Museum saw was an old looking sculpture, but one man was able to see in an instant its great value. Gladwell's use of this anecdote allows him to convey the importance of instinct behind decision-making. He also uses this to suggest that not all acts are committed based upon logic, but rather a gut-feeling. "
In addition to anecdotes, Gladwell utilizes expert testimonials on establishing his credibility to convey and strengthen his argument: that decision-making is done through a complex process. IN one section, Gladwell discusses about a young couple who came to the University of Washington to be analyzed. John Gottman, a psychologist, recorded their conversations about their dog to determine how long they would be married. John Gottman produced astounding results, discovering that "with a jaw-breaking 90% accuracy" he was able to predict that "the couple would fail to remain married after 15 years." Gladwell's use of expert testimonials is not only engaging to the reader, but also very humorous. Gladwell is able to further convey the importance of past experiences in the process of decision-making, and how that in turn makes behavior predictable.
Using anecdotes and expert testimonials, Malcolm Gladwell effectively argues the significance of instinct and past experiences behind making decisions. By engaging the audience and establishing his credibility through referencing experts, Gladwell persuades the reader of the complex nature of decision-making. Although I am still in the beginning sections of the book, I have learned a lot about psychology; more specifically, the reasoning behind making decisions. I truly believe that Gladwell is an effective writer in teaching his audience about complex ideas in an easily comprehensible way.
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