In our last Forensic View, we saw that some of the mental patterns we create in our minds might initially appear correct but may, in fact, ultimately prove wildly inaccurate. In this post, let’s see how we can avoid this situation in an area of great importance to many people: dealing with those who have antisocial tendencies.

Cognitively, human beings operate on a continuum between feature-intensive (FI) and gestalt (G) analyses. FI cognitive processing allows us to evaluate the elements of given situations with reference to the specific features of those elements in isolation, and it is critical in evaluating those elements. G processing is much faster and, hence, less effortful than FI processing because, in G processing, we examine an entire given pattern, the gestalt with which we are confronted, with very limited attention to the individual features of that pattern.

G processing is necessary for us to form broad general ideas, but when we use G processing in situations in which FI processing is actually necessary, we tend to make a lot of mistakes (Sharps, 2003, 2022a,b). This would seem to make FI processing the way to go in most situations. Even though it is more effortful, it allows us to gain a better understanding of the important elements of any given situation.

However, intense concentration on the features of given situation elements may prevent us from pulling back and understanding the overall pattern within which those elements reside. The understanding of complex situations requires systematic movement along the cognitive continuum between gestalt and feature-intensive analysis.

This is why........

© Psychology Today