Decision Fatigue
Read Decision Fatigue, an IELTS Reading practice passage. No matter how rational people try to be, they can't make decision after decision without paying a biological price. This 'decision fatigue' is different from ordinary physical fatigue. People are not conscious of being tired, but nevertheles…
Passage preview
No matter how rational people try to be, they can't make decision after decision without paying a biological price. This 'decision fatigue' is different from ordinary physical fatigue. People are not conscious of being tired, but nevertheless they are low on energy. The more choices one makes throughout the day, the harder it becomes for the brain, and eventually it looks for shortcuts: either to act impulsively instead of expending the energy to think through the possible results, or the ultimate energy saver: do nothing. Avoiding a decision often creates bigger problems in the long run, but for the moment it eases the mental strain.
Vocabulary from this passage
10 words worth learning before you sit the test, each with the sentence it appears in.
- default option noun
The pre-selected course of action that automatically takes effect if no explicit choice is made
When decision fatigue sets in, customers consistently gravitate toward the default option.
- finite adjective
Having definite, observable limits, bounds, or restricted quantities that can be exhausted
Neurological research demonstrates that humans possess a finite supply of mental stamina each day.
- fluctuate verb
To rise and fall irregularly in number, amount, intensity, quality, or structural state
Psychologists emphasize that a person's capability for self-regulation will fluctuate throughout the day.
- glucose noun
A simple sugar that is an important energy source in living organisms and components of carbohydrates
The biological processes governing executive functions rely heavily on steady metabolization of glucose.
- impulsively adverb
Acting rapidly, instinctively, or without careful consideration or long-term consequence analysis
Fatigued consumers tend to choose items impulsively rather than weighing alternatives logically.
- irrational bias noun
An illogical preference or prejudice that prevents impartial consideration of an objective reality
Refueling cerebral energy structures allows research subjects to resist deeply ingrained irrational bias.
- mitigate verb
To make less severe, serious, or painful; to lessen the gravitas or impact of an adverse state
Adequate nutritional intake can successfully mitigate the manifestations of temporary cognitive depletion.
- rational adjective
Based on or in accordance with reason, logic, or objective evaluation rather than emotion
Human beings struggle to maintain rational economic behavior when confronted with persistent cognitive strain.
- stamina noun
The bodily or mental strength that enables a person to sustain prolonged physical or cognitive effort
Exerting continuous self-control diminishes the intellectual stamina required to solve complex analytical problems.
- thereby adverb
By that means; as a direct result or consequence of the specified action or event
The participants suppressed their natural emotional reactions, thereby draining crucial reservoirs of cognitive energy.