On Decision-Making: Three Reasons Why Older People Always Know Better

We often hear the phrase, "with age comes wisdom" but refuse to ascribe any truth to it especially when older people question our decisions. They may actually be right, University of Leeds Leadership Chair in Behavioral Decision Making, Wändi Bruine de Bruin says.

Bruin explains on his The Conversation article how age affects decisions. Through his research findings, he discusses the decision-making process and how the age factor comes into play. We've narrowed it down to three main points that might make you concede to an older person because he/she simply knows better.

1. Older People Have More Experience.

Because older people have lived longer in the world, decision-making is faster for them. According to Wändi Bruine de Bruin, there's a big chance that older people have already encountered the situation before in their lives. Based on the outcome of their decision at that time, they will be able to make the soundest choice to solve the problem at hand.

2. Older People Are More Emotionally Stable.

It's easier for older people to let go of seemingly useless and unproductive ventures. They are more emotionally detached than younger people, according to Bruin, because they already know the consequences of pushing for a plan that's already failing. They know what to avoid, what to stop and what to go for.

Older people are also more positive than younger people who dwell on the negative more. A ray of positivity can lead to better decisions.

3. Older People Are Practical.

Bruin says that older people tend to choose "good enough" options than the "very best" that younger people are inclined to choose. This practical attitude of older people helps them when a situation's choices are limited or are costly.

According to Life Extension, all people experience cognitive impairments when they age. Forgetfulness, difficulty in focusing and difficulty in solving problems are some of the symptoms of age-related cognitive decline. This is why some claim that young people are more capable of coming out with good decisions but the experience and easiness of old people in decision-making prove to be more useful as per Bruin.

There are also advantages of being young. As per United Nations Population Fund, more young people in the world creates "unprecedented potential for economic and social progress." If the 1.8 billion young people of the world in 2015 statistics are given access to good education and opportunities, their ideas and work output could lead to the world's bright future.

In your opinion, who are better decision makers? The elders or younger people? Share your thoughts on the Comments section below and follow Parent Herald for more news and updates.