Lists of specific benefits and drawbacks frequently make their way into pop culture, from Rory Gilmore of Gilmore Girls zealously making multiple pros-and-cons lists to Leslie Knope of Parks and Recreation habitually creating decision-making lists. You can even turn to a “Pros-and-Cons List Maker” online.
As common as they are, making two columns to denote advantages and disadvantages of a certain life decision can actually be linked to several unique personality traits. Here, a psychologist tells Parade the "good" and "bad" aspects of this practicing this habit, eight personality traits typically linked to it and what to do if you relate to having "analysis paralysis."
Benefits and Downsides of Pros-and-Cons Lists
Psychologist Dr. Craig Kain says that says that pros-and-cons lists can help reduce anxiety and feelings of overwhelm.
Additionally, these types of lists can bring on a shift in perspective.
Pros-and-cons lists can help you pinpoint your values and “learn what’s significant,” as Dr. Kain says.
Although these lists have their benefits, there are some negative things to consider as well. In fact, Dr. Kain says that they can be “problematic.”
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2. They don't usually trust their intuition
While the phrase “trust your gut” is exceedingly common, you may actually find it to be superficial or untrue. In your case, Dr. Kain says that you may prefer to rely “only on logic.”
A pros-and-cons list may simplify the decision-making process, but it can complicate things as well.
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4. They tend to struggle to organize their thoughts
You might be someone who often has “black-and-white thinking,” meaning that you avoid ambiguity and uncertainty in life.
6. They want to minimize mistakes
“Many people avoid taking risks because they are fearful of doing the wrong thing,” Dr. Kain says. “Pro-con lists appeal to risk-avoiders because they are seen as a way to make the right choice and avoid errors.”
You might use pros-and-cons lists “to bring order out of chaos,” as Dr. Kain puts it.
8. They can be impulsive
Dr. Kain states, “People who are impulsive exist in a world where thought equals behavior, where if I think it, I do it. Pro-con lists are highly effective in breaking that reflex. In order to make a pro-con list, we have to pause. Slowing down and resting a beat to write down a pro-con list can be a powerful deterrent to regrettable impulsive behavior.”
Final Takeaways if You Have Decision-Making Paralysis
You might have times that you make several pros-and-cons lists, only to end up at square one. There may be an equal number of pros and cons, leading you to experience decision-making paralysis.
Related: 115 Relatable Quotes About Overthinking to Inspire Peacefulness and Letting Go
“We believe making a pro-con list and selecting the choice with the most items results in enjoying whatever we’ve chosen. But that’s not how pro-con lists work when they are done to avoid regret,” he explains. “They are not designed to optimize pleasure. Avoiding what we believe is a bad decision is not the same as choosing something that we will take pleasure in.”
Related: Psychologist Reveals That People Who Write Out To-Do Lists by Hand Share These 7 Unique Traits
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