Lesson 3: Analyzing Information | Amy Herman

Assumption and conjecture have their uses. The human mind evolved these mental shortcuts for faster, more responsive decision-making. But more deliberate thinking requires pushing beyond initial impressions and accessing a deeper perception. In this video lesson, art historian Amy Herman teaches you how to analyze your assumptions so you can delay their influence on the decisions that demand thoughtful consideration. We live and work according to our biases. We evolved them as a matter of survival. We can’t avoid biases entirely, but we can keep them in check. Step back from your analyses to examine them for assumptions. Ask: What assumptions am I making here? Am I justified? When you think you’re acting towards a bias, look at the totality of the circumstances. Ask: What’s the whole picture? Where am I? Who are the actors? What’s happening? Does my bias fit into the big picture? If yes, you are justified. Move forward with acting according to your bias. If no, you are not justified. Strive to be more objective. © Freethink Media Inc., All Rights Reserved. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Go Deeper with Big Think: ►Become a Big Think Youtube Member Get exclusive classes and early, ad-free access to new releases without leaving Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/@bigthink/membership/ ►Become a Big Think Web Member Get the entire Big Think Class library, premium print issues, live events, and more. https://bigthink.com/membership/ ►Subscribe to Big Think on Substack Get all of your favorite Big Think content delivered to your inbox. https://bigthinkmedia.substack.com/subscribe/ ►Listen to Big Think Interviews on Spotify Insights from the world's biggest thinkers, now as a podcast https://open.spotify.com/show/7KRYoRD1NdF2aoQcBMyPlb ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- About Amy Herman: Amy Herman is a lawyer and art historian who uses works of art to sharpen observation, analysis, and communication skills. By showing people how to look closely at painting, sculpture, and photography, she helps them hone their visual intelligence to recognize the most pertinent and useful information as well as biases that impede decision-making. In 2000, while Herman was the head of education at The Frick Collection in New York City, she developed her “Art of Perception” seminar to improve medical students’ observation and communication skills with their patients. She subsequently adapted the program for a wide range of professionals and leads sessions internationally for the New York City Police Department, the FBI, the French National Police, the Department of Defense, Interpol, the State Department, Fortune 500 companies, first responders, the military, and the intelligence community. She holds a B.A., a J.D., and an M.A. in art history. Her book Visual Intelligence was published in May 2016 and was on both The New York Times and The Washington Post’s bestsellers lists.