A book I read during the development of WorkCompEdge strongly influenced my thinking on this subject of “what is true.” How We Know What Isn’t So: The Fallibility of Human Reason in Everyday Life by Thomas Gilovich does a masterful job of highlighting how many things we believe that “just ain’t so.” Here is a great example that Gilovich starts with in his introduction:
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"It is widely believed that infertile couples who adopt a child are subsequently more likely to conceive than similar couples who do not. The usual explanation for this remarkable phenomenon involves the alleviation of stress. Couples, who adopt, it is said, become less obsessed with their reproductive failure, and their new-found peace of mind boosts their chances for success.
On closer inspection, however, it becomes clear that the remarkable phenomenon we need to explain is not why adoption increases a couple’s fertility; clinical research has shown that it does not. What needs explanation is why so many people hold this belief when it is not true."
We all use intuition and seek to “prove” that our theories and preconceptions are true. We often do this through a biased sorting of data and evidence. Without knowing it, we look for what supports our ideas and reject information that conflicts with our beliefs. But as dysfunctional as this process may sometimes be, it is also the process that develops our intelligence - a fascinating human dilemma.
Frank's blog and the subsequent comments in Are Bad Employees Really the Main Problem in Workers Comp? are just one example of how this process is manifested in workers comp.
So, here are my questions for you:
- Where in the workers compensation industry are we relying on theories, perceptions, and biases that are NOT backed by hard evidence and objective facts?
- More importantly, where are the most costly places where this occurs?
I would be interested in hearing your thoughts. And, if you really want to challenge yourself, pick up this book (here on Amazon or through your favorite independent bookseller) and better understand How We Know What Isn’t So.
Editor's note: This is the first entry in our new "Books" category inspired by reading we've enjoyed and in some way applied to business, workers comp, learning, personal productivity, wellness, and more. If you have a book to suggest, let me know!
