Malcolm Gladwells Approach to the Idea of Thin-Slicing - Book Report/Review Example

Malcolm Gladwell’s Approach to the Idea of Thin-Slicing

The ability to make quick decisions based on very minimal information is impressive. It demonstrates the ability of human being to act under pressure and to make judgments based on very little information. We have found ourselves in a position where we were required to think and act at the blink of an eye and in most cases, the judgment we make at such a time is usually far more correct than that we would have made if we had sufficient time to think and analyze a thing or a situation. It is true that people often judge others based on first impressions and what their intuition tells them. This concept is what is known as thin-slicing or thinking without thinking as put by Malcolm Gladwell. Although it is usually said that we should not judge a book by its cover, the contrary happens every day. In his Novel Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking, Gladwell uses case studies, rhetorical questions, experiments and efficiently researched analysis; a compilation that efficiently tackles his well-thought idea of thin slicing otherwise known as thinking without thinking making him a very credible author. Nevertheless, a few statements of bias and propaganda are also present in the book

Throughout his book, Gladwell has used numerous case studies to persuade and convince his readers on the notion of thin slicing. In the introduction, the author takes time to explain a scenario that took place at the Getty Museum in California. The museum purchased an ancient statue said to have dated back to the sixth century. After about 14 months of studying and examining the figure, it was concluded that it was authentic. However, after a few seconds of looking at it, statue experts Harrison and Hoving questioned the authenticity of the statue to the extent that Hoving argued the purchaser not to pay for the statue if he had not yet done it. "Have you paid for this?" "If you have, try to get your money back." "If you haven't please don't." (6). This is one of the many case scenarios that Gladwell uses to explain the concept of thin slicing. As we have read, a prior study that had lasted more than a year did not find anything wrong with the statue. However, in a very short moment or rather in the blink of an eye, experts such as Evelyn Harrison and Hoving were able to tell that the statue was not authentic. According to Gladwell, Thomas Hoving, a former director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York was uncertain about the statue as soon as he saw it. Gladwell notes that "Hoving always makes a note of the first word that goes through his head when he sees something new, and he'll never forget what that word was when he first saw the kouros" (5). In this case, fresh was the word that came to Hoving's head, and this was not the best response having a two-thousand-year-old figure. From this case scenario, one can only come up with two logical arguments that Gladwell seeks to teach his readers: that intuitive judgments made in the blink of an eye can be very accurate and helpful and that experts are generally in better positions to make reasonable decisions with minimal information.

To emphasize on his concept of thin slicing, Gladwell offers another case study in the first chapter of his book. He, however, uses an entirely different scenario. This is intended to allow his readers understand that thin slicing applies to nearly all life circumstances. Here, Gladwell tells of a psychologist's capability to forecast if a couple would remain together in marriage for about 15 years. Gottman, a marriage psychologist, can predict with more than 90% accuracy by just observing and learning a couple. "If he watches the couple for 15 minutes, his success rate is about 90%." (21). The author uses this example to convince us that sometimes, proper extensive research does not always give accurate answers. At times, all it takes is the slightest idea about an issue or a person to make the best decision. Gladwell strives to give his readers an opportunity to think twice on how they cognize the world around them and how they consequently thin slice. In simpler terms, Gladwell seeks to explain that sometimes, the picture we get or the judgment we make from just a gist usually far more accurate than that we would make after a lengthy, well researched and detailed analysis. However, the author is keen to note that thin slicing will not always yield accurate results. The rapid judgments and decision can at other times lead us astray.

Gladwell has used Rhetorical questions to win and keep audience's attention. These issues also build an interaction between him and the readers. In his first chapter, for instance, he poses two questions: "How much do you think can be learned about Sue and Bill's marriage by watching that fifteen-minute videotape? Can we tell if their relationship is healthy or unhealthy?" (20). By asking these questions, Gladwell does not obviously expect his readers to answer them. In fact, the questions do not necessarily have direct answers. What the author wants here is to give his readers to halt and think about the thin slicing and if it is applicable in this kind of job. Though these two questions do not entirely advocate for thin slicing or thinking without thinking as Gladwell calls it, they give the readers a chance to explore the analysis that the author uses to diverge from the concept. The question: "Can marriage really be understood in one sitting" is an intriguing one, one that leaves the readers wanting to know the answer. As a result, readers are motivated to read even further in search of the solution. Through the motivated reading, they can grasp more and more of the concept of thin slicing. It is therefore evident that Gladwell has successfully used rhetorical questions as a technique to persuade his readers and appeal to them as well.

In addition to case studies and rhetorical questions, Gladwell uses experiments to further expound on his concept of thin slicing. One such test involves priming people. This refers to the use of a word or words with the intention of stimulating a person's brains. In this sense, words are used to make a person think critically about a particular issue, subject or thing. Such a technique gives individuals a better chance to give pay closer attention and give a second thought to a specific question or concern. The example that Gladwell provides is the use of the term "terrorism" by President George Bush when he was giving his speeches after the 9/11 speech. Similarly, the author uses experiment involving individuals from a specific racial background who are "asked to identify race on a questionnaire, that simple act was sufficient to prime them with all the negative stereotypes associated with being African American and academic achievement and the number of items they got right was cut in half" (56). After this experiment, Gladwell is keen to note that:

"As a society, we place enormous faith in tests because we think that they are a reliable indicator of the test taker's ability and knowledge but are they really? If a white student from a prestigious private high school gets a high SAT score than a black student from an inner-city school, is it because she's truly a better student or is it because to be white and to attend a prestigious high school is to be constantly primed with the ideal to be "smart"?" (56-57).

However, some readers may interpret Gladwell's argument as biased mainly because of the comparison he offers between whites and African-American. The use of the term society, however, makes his case logical because what is merely doing is putting across a message about a notion that is already known to the society.

In Summary, it is evident that Gladwell has successfully presented the concept of thin slicing and thinking without thinking. By use of different techniques such as case studies that are mostly different from each other, rhetorical question and experiments, Gladwell has won his reader's attention by making Blink not only an exciting but also a fascinating book. These well-utilized techniques have also helped to lay the foundations of his credibility and reliability to his readers.