Emotional And Rational Decisions: Do They Differ?

Somehow it is so. No one works or decides only through their emotions or through a unique filter made up of the coldest, most objective, and most reasonable logic. Our brain is actually a hyperconnected organ where each region and structure is connected to other regions and structures.

Therefore, the prefrontal cortex (linked to the most complex executive functions based on analysis, attention, or reflection) maintains constant contact with the deeper areas of the brain associated with emotions. Therefore, the world of affections and emotions is present in every decision, and in turn, every deliberate and justified choice finds a stamp of emotion.

Now, despite the existence of this bridge of emotional and rational reasoning, where the knowledge between one and the other circuit is constant, there is a specialty that we cannot ignore. Emotions always come first. Man is above all an emotional being and it takes us to more than one fork in the road.

Emotional and rational decisions

Emotional decisions have a bad weight. It’s like letting ourselves be taken through that first impulse, necessity (and presumably unreasonable) or intuition that leads us to error. However, and as ironic as it may sound, many of the choices we make in our daily lives are conveyed by our emotions; the emotions that guide us and almost completely convey our behavior.

Let us acknowledge it; acting through emotions does not necessarily lead us into error. Emotions are catalysts in our relationships because they force us to connect with other people. In addition, they allow us to make choices in different areas so that our tastes, personalities and needs are in harmony.

After all, emotions just want homeostasis, to guarantee our inner balance, and of course our own survival.

In fact, there is already a trend in the academic world that urges us to correct the wrong idea. And this misconception is where emotional decisions are associated with irrational actions.

Studies, such as those conducted at Columbia University led by Dr. Michel Puan, show that we should always stop understanding the emotional and the rational in isolation. In other words, emotions can also be logical and sensible.

However, there are clear and obvious exceptions. Sometimes we make decisions based on harmful emotional states. These are the moments when we do not find internal balance and homeostasis, but rather find within us an unresolved problem, need, or negligent lack that leads us to make wrong choices. Let’s go deeper into the topic next.

Emotional states that make you make decisions that you can regret

Let’s be clear: the best decisions are made when we combine them with logic and emotion. And for the agreement between them to be implemented effectively, we need our emotions to work in our favor. Admittedly, this does not always happen because we have emotional states that cut us off and limit our mental concentration. Such emotional states include:

• Grief. If you make a decision when you are sad, sniffed, or melancholy, you will be happy with the minimum amount of it, and you will not be demanding with yourself.
• Tension. When we are excited about joy, uncontrollable passion, or our emotions, we also don’t usually make very good decisions. In general, impulsivity takes us with it.
• Anxiety. Anxiety, stress, and all mood disorders interfere with our ability to make decisions. Not only do we make decisions that we can later regret, but it also makes it more difficult to think, criticize, and reflect, for example.

Emotional decisions made about logic and reasoning are the most accurate

As the well-known Portuguese-American scientist and neurologist Antonio Damasio has pointed out, emotions are not on the dark side of reason. Emotions are, in fact, necessary parts of every decision we make, and that is why we must also be aware of their existence.

If we understand our feelings, if we control them, and if we face the challenges they bring in those moments of low motivation and concern, they can become our best allies.

Decisions are like heartbeats that draw the path we take. It is true that some of these decisions are more erroneous and others more accurate, but most importantly, we are not acting impulsively. Making the right decisions is about tuning needs with desires and combining experience with your own intuition. Emotions and reason can never travel separately, for together they are like an engine that can bring us closer to our own happiness.