Book Reading #47 - Why We Make Mistakes

Chapter 8: We Like Things Tidy

Summary:

In this chapter, the author points out that people organize their thoughts and memories in their mind. The memories are not scattered over the brain, but the memories are properly organized. By tidy memory, the author means that we organize the information stored in our memories in hierarchical order. The author also mentions that people tend to alter the memories and fill in the memory gaps. When people don't remember details they tend to make them up for the story to make sense.

Discussion:

I never thought that our memory stores memories in an organized fashion. After reading this chapter I realized that it's actually true since when we try to recall an event, we don't recall the main event directly, instead we tend to recall the environment and circumstances surrounding the event first and then we recall the actual details of the event, thus proving that our memory is hierarchical.

Chapter 9: Men Shoot First

Summary:

This chapter compares and contrasts behavior of men with the behavior of women. He mentions that men are usually overconfident and tend to take more risks than women. Women are less confident than men in several areas, like operating a motor vehicle etc. He associates this difference in behavior in the way men and women are brought up. Boys tend to play outdoors and tinker around more than girls do.

Discussion:

I agree with authors opinion about difference of behavior between girls and boys. Boys get into more fights and falls when they grown up which makes them emotionally strong. This induces a risk-taking behavior in men. Women on the other hand like to play safe. This is one of the reasons why auto insurance for men is more expensive than insurance costs for women drivers.