tHe pRincesS DiAry

An interesting psych article i came across. We should probably all learn to tap into our unconscious minds more. Now i know when to turn to video games and sleep.

Let's just sleep on it tonight
by Wray Herbert

June 23rd 2006

You have some decisions to make. You must let your travel agent know if you will be vacationing in the hills of Tuscany or at a Jamaican beach resort. You also have to choose between those two job offers you’ve just received: A sales job and a government position each has its own appeal. Three people--Chuck, Kate and David--have all expressed interest in being your new roommate. And while you’re at it, what’s for dinner tonight, pasta primavera or swordfish? Oh, and you need to decide all these things right now.

Well, you simply can’t do it. It’s too much. You can only think about one big thing at a time realistically, and each of these decisions has so many variables to weigh. Your mind’s awhirl: sunburn, Euros, hijacking, 401-K, cubicles, squalid bathroom, rap music, calories, fresh basil, omega fatty acids. So what do you do with all this information? You throw your up your hands and flip on Playstation.

As odd as it sounds, this may be your wisest strategy. After half an hour of Grand Theft Auto, you suddenly drop the controller, shake your head, and there it is, clear as could be: Tuscany, sales, Kate, pasta. Effortlessly, it seems, you have made four complex decisions, and you know--know!--in your gut that these are all the right choices.

Some might say that you punted on your responsibilities. Psychologists would argue that you let your unconscious do the difficult work of sorting through plusses and minuses. Ab Dijksterhuis and Loran Nordgren of the University of Amsterdam have conducted a long series of experiments comparing conscious and unconscious thinking, and their experimental evidence adds up to the conclusion that the unconscious is often superior to the rational, conscious mind.

Many of the experiments use the same basic approach as this one: People were given 12 bits of information about four different apartments and asked to make a choice. Some had to decide immediately, with no time for analysis. Others were asked to reason the problem through, while still others were distracted for a while, then asked for their choice. This last group was presumed to be thinking unconsciously, while distracted. The real life equivalent might be playing Grand Theft Auto, or otherwise "sleeping on it." Dijksterhuis and Nordgren had designed the experiment so that there was a clear best apartment to choose, and the unconscious thinkers consistently arrived at that choice more often than the others. They repeated this experiment with roommates and other similar life choices, and the results were always the same.

(Before you protest, yes, people are idiosyncratic and sure, someone might prefer a slob for a roommate or a home without AC. There are deeply disturbed apartment hunters out there. But Dijksterhuis and Nordgren anticipated this, and in another experiment proved that unconscious thinkers arrive at the optimal choice for them, as defined by their personal tastes.)

What’s more, the experiments reveal why the unconscious mind might be superior to the conscious mind for many decisions. One of the most compelling explanations, as spelled out in the June issue of Perspectives on Psychological Science, is simple capacity. The conscious mind is very good at some things, like following clear rules. In fact, it’s superior in applying concrete rules: If it’s a hard and fast rule that you can pay no more than $1745 a month for an apartment, you don’t need your unconscious mind to intervene. But the conscious mind cannot handle many bits of information at one time, unlike the unconscious, which has a huge capacity for information processing.

Because of its limited capacity, the conscious mind defaults to certain ways of thinking that aren’t always ideal. For example, the researchers found that—contrary to common wisdom—the conscious mind is more likely than the unconscious to deal in stereotypes. That’s because stereotypes are efficient and readily available when there is too much information to process. The scientists found that conscious thinkers, even though they felt like they were reasoning through a mass of information, in fact were selectively cherry-picking the information that confirmed distortions they already had in mind. Put another way, they couldn’t help “jumping to conclusions.”

Why? Well, for one thing, the unconscious mind appears to make better use of memory. Consider Jeroen. Jeroen is a hypothetical man with 18 traits: Six of the traits have to do with his intelligence, six with his idealism, and six with his outgoing personality. When Jeroen was described to the participants, his traits were listed randomly. But when they were asked to recall as much as they could about him, the unconscious thinkers were much more likely to have the traits clustered in their memory—all the indicators of intelligence together, and so forth. The unconscious mind had organized the 18 traits, whereas the conscious thinkers’ recollections were random. Such consolidation would obviously help with practical decisions as well, like choosing a vacation spot.

There is much that remains to be learned about the unconscious, Dijksterhuis and Nordgren quickly concede. For example, it’s not at all clear why the unconscious chooses to deliver its intuitive judgments when it does. The experiments had time constraints, but in real life things sometimes percolate an hour, sometimes overnight, sometimes a week. And what’s the best kind of distraction? It may indeed be playing video games or something equally “mindless,” or perhaps sleep is the best incubator. And how do we ready ourselves for the summary judgment from the churning unconscious mind? We don't know. One famous physicist summarized the creative opportunity as “bed, bath and bus.”

What is clear from this extensive research is that people are often handicapping themselves in life. The more important and complex a decision, the more people tend to study and analyze and deconstruct its every nuance--or try to. Despite the natural appeal of this approach, in fact it seems to hinder the kind of holistic thinking that works best. As Dijksterhuis and Nordgren conclude: “As decision makers, people are bad managers of their own minds. They behave like a conference organizer who asks the janitor to deliver the keynote address and the highly accomplished professor to fold up the chairs.”

For more insights into human nature, visit the Association for Psychological Science website at www.psychologicalscience.org/onlyhuman.

Me and Fang went shopping at JP and i gotta say shopping rocks. The new Jurong Point is awesome, its actually very entertaining and there's plenty of new foodie hunts too. We were rather determined and marched through the stores and i gotta say we really got good bargains in 2hrs of work! I heart my new bag and new tops. You know why they call it retail therapy... because it really is uplifting! The trick is not to overdo it, otherwise the guilt sets in and you'll end up feeling crappy instead. Also, finding the right shopping buddy! Thanks gal, for the great company :) Reminded me of the crazy shopping in New York haha... We also discussed our possible business venture, and i do feel quite positive about it. Let's push through and make it work!!

Some random pics from US trip last yr:

Just finished a night of tennis with fang, yw and ber. Super tired!! My legs are like jello, but still feeling satisfied. I really enjoy our weekly games, at least its a good workout once a week and all in good company. After that we usually stuff ourselves silly over supper. Wish i played better though, think my game is still inconsistant, i have to play well right from the start, if i start off lousy and it doesn't pick up den sian... But it gets better, we're all improving and I always look forward to thursdays :) hurray for tennis thursdays!!

I love that you get helpless whenever i get mad. I love the way you talk about your cats, and the fondness in your voice. I love it when you get all greedy whenever we sit to eat. I love it when you let me in your worries and your cares, it makes me feel important and that you know i care. I love that you're the last person i always want to talk to before I fall asleep. I love... you

Faith looks across the storm- it does not doubt
Or stop to look at clouds and things without.
Faith does not question why when all His ways
Are hard to understand, but trusts and prays.

I'm reminded to not cease praying, because sometimes, when prayers go unanswered, we lose sight of faith. But God wants us to pray on, and He will release the blessing as we press on.

At the special request of a certain friend with an unquenchable liking for yellow sponges, i present to you a new face for this space... Like it?

I have so many inadequacies. What happens when too much really is too little? And what happens when all you see in yourself, is what others see in you...

This morning i prayed, God teach me to love with your love, love that is generous and not imposing. Love that wants the best for another but little for yourself. Jesus never asked to be deserved of our love. Because i am weak, i want to love with your love Lord.

Quoting George Whiteside; "Papers are a central part of research. If your research does not generate papers, it might as well have not been done. "Interesting and unpublished" is equivalent to "non-existent"." Adv Materials. 2004, 16, 1375.

I guess up to now, I've just been non existent.

Awesome song... Singing every little girl's dream, including mine... I first heard it in Bride Wars where anne and kate walked the aisles down their weddings and i hope someday i can walk mine to it too



Today's Daily bread: Sinless, He was adored by the multitudes one day (Matt21:9), and then condemned as a criminal and died on a Roman cross in excruciating pain.
Yet, He chose to do so for you and for me.


Teach me Lord, of your mercy and grace. Teach me how to love unselfishly as you did..

Dreams need believing and faith to come true. I believe.

A dream is a wish your heart makes, when you're fast asleep.
In dreams you will lose your heartaches,
whatever you wish for you'll see.
Have faith in your dreams and someday,
your rainbow will come smiling through.
No matter how your heart is grieving,
If you keep on believing,
the dream that you wish will come through...


He's in my every dream, so i can smile in my sleep.

This post might seem totally outta point and random, i know.. I evaluated a couple of things that I seemed to dwell on lately.

Of Being a Worrier...

I am a terrible worrier.. I worry all the time. I wonder if its because I care too much, or if i'm over analytical... Indulging in worries leads to an overhaul in imagination. Sometimes i wish i could take a break from worrying. The only times i really let it go is when i'm in a good game, i loose myself in every ball. In that moment, i live for that very point, that very set.

Of The Fundamentals of Trust...

I define Trust: Having confidence and reliance on something or someone. Thrusting one's hope in something or someone. To believe completely and sticking to it in faith no matter the situation or circumstance. I'd like to trust wholeheartedly once more. I wonder if its an inherent flaw in me, to find it difficult to forget. Because even though its good to forgive, some things are even better forgotten.

Of Expectations...

Expectations are good. Only if they are adjusted proportionately. I now start to learn to be realistic in doing so. I used to be and sometimes still am, extremely idealistic in expecting the best out of every situation and every person, as long as i am putting in my best as well. I used to be and sometimes still am, more optimistic about other people's problems as compared to my own. Practical voices drown out the optimism and enthusiam I have in believing in the best, that everything should be taken down a notch. I want to remain true to myself and not have to conform or change in being idealistic, because i kinda liked that about myself..

Of "Yay Me's"...

I realized how many times a day i say to myself "YAY ME". Its an expression of self indulgence. "Yay me needs this", "Yay me wants that", "Yay me poor me nobody understands..."

Feeling much better now that emos are texted. Self actualization can be such a relief.

Beneath it all, i'm still just a fool... My all time fav romantic song, enjoy..

There's a hundred and one things that i can be frustrated about right now.

Damn right.

Work is a little of a killjoy lately. My boss says i'm still not very efficient and at the rate i'm going, i probably won't grad in 4 years. It did affect me, because he wasn't being mean when he said that, merely stating facts. I know i have something big on my hands, so i should really push through and make it happen. Cheer me on!

Weather has been terok! It's totally thrown off my game, whenever we're playing- in the evening or morning it has been pittering and pattering. Sigh, rain rain go away...

Tennis Enthusiasts::
Doris, Rayner, Chris and me

Wet courts- Dampered moods

Yikes its been a good long haul since my last post.
Just an update with what's going on:

1. I just changed cell group, officially in the adults ministry. No expectations or negative feelings. Just gonna go there an check out the scene. I only pray for God's leading and participation in the whole matter, it doesn't matter where i am, as long as He's there, i'll do ok.
2. So my research work's finally picked up. There's some tasty results, if only i had the energy and motivation to see it through. I have to juggle with many different kinds of experiments and the familiar uncertainty and doubts in my capabilities floats in and out sometimes. I try to handle so many things at once so nothing really gets moved along. Note to self: Don't be overambitious.
3. Chris gets back from Perth tomorrow! I'm excited at the thought of him returning home again. I thought i'd be too busy this week to notice he's gone, but i do do miss him so... I'm amazed at how much i've come to love this man and i thank God again and again for him.
4. I've finally been recovering from a long bout of flu. I hate being sick.
5. I now play Katherine Heigl in 27 dresses. 2 weddings, 2 weeks. Rehearsals... briefings.. candles.. colors.. dress codes.. U get the deal. Ah well, all in the name of friendship!

So that sums it for abit. Except now i'm gonna sing a little song i just made up. It's called "O little yellow butterfly" and it goes like this:

O little yellow butterfly by ME

O little yellow butterfly
Where did you come from
Why have you flown into my window
Into my bedroom you floated in

I tried to chase you out
armed with a magazine
gently pointing you into the direction of my bedroom window
trying not to smack you

But you continued floating about
You didn't want to leave
So i gave up and let you stay
As long as you don't ambush me while i sleep

O little yellow Butterfly
I might get used to you being around
I could leave you some fresh pollen everytime i'm out
Just try to steer clear of my mum when she cleans out my room
Insecticides my dear, will not be too kind to you

"Just tell him you love him.. Tell him you've loved him for 9 years, but you've been afraid to love, afraid of needing.
-Needing what?
Belonging to someone.."

from My Best Friend's Wedding

I'm afraid to need him because i might need him more than he needs me.

But it shouldn't matter,

because i love him.

Tagged by Brid eons ago, ah well..

Tag 3 people to do the meme when completed.
1. My ex is: "Thank God that's over."
2. I am listening to: Brian Mcknight's Back at One
3. Maybe I should: get cracking at actual work instead of doing this quiz?
4. I love: Jogging alone in the light rain
5. My best friends: aww... u guys know its u
6. I don’t understand: why Singaporeans don't understand the concept of letting people exit the MRT first instead of crowdig and bustling in; even when the yellow lines are drawn up for them.
7. I lose: sleep when i worry excessively
8. People say: If the going gets tough, the tough gets going. hmm... worth a thought.
9. The meaning of my screen name is: as it is, I am very much a princess. The bf acknowledges that.
10. Love is: More than i can say
11. Somewhere, someone: is thinking of me as much as i think of him (i hope :p)
12. I will always: be a hopeless romantic and cry watching sappy romance comedies
13. Forever: the secret of life will never be fully known to man
14. I never want to: lose myself in meaningless pursuits
15. My cell phone is: Spanking new! wooyah!
16. When I wake in the morning: I snooze and laze in bed for at least another hr (pig)
17. I get annoyed at: people who make fun of things that actually means something to another person
18. Parties are: starting to sound lame and parsay when u get older
19. My dog is: Trevor, mid-size golden retriever living in my head. I'll let him out for a run tonight.
21. Today I am: tired and zonked out.
22. Tonight I will: watch America's next TOP model (it brings out the bimbo in me)
23. Tomorrow I will: Spend alone time with the special someone.
24. I really want: to always be H-A-P-P-Y!
25. When I looked at myself in the mirror today I: admited to myself i wasn't looking my best, but don't in the least give a crap.
26. I will drive my car: @200km/hr and pretend i'm Alonso
27. A word that rhymes with “PARK” is: Bark *rworff* (wat'd u say Trev?)
28. Bright or Dark Room?: Bright, i imagine things in the dark.
29. If I’m alone in a room with two beds, I: will jump from bed to bed pretending they're trampolines
30. The last thing I said to someone was: "We tried our best"

Now I tag whoever's reading this list :)

To the man in my life,

Thank you...

I Love the sweet Surprise darling, they smell wonderful.
I love it even more, for the effort made :)

Ally likes them too! *muacks*

I thank God everyday for you...