The researchers analyzed 1,112 parole board hearings assigned to
eight judges over a ten-month period (which incidentally amounted to
40 percent of Israel’s total parole requests over that period). The pace
is grueling. The judges hear arguments and take about six minutes to
render a decision on 14 to 35 parole requests a day, and they get only
two breaks—a morning snack and late lunch—to rest and refuel. The
impact of their schedule is as spectacular as it is surprising: In the
mornings and after each break, parolees’ chances for being released
peak at 65 percent, and then plunge to near zero by the end of each
period (see figure 8).
The results are most likely tied to the mental toll of repetitive
decision making. These are big decisions for the parolees and the
public at large. High stakes and the assembly-line rhythm demand
intense focus throughout the day As their energy is spent, judges
mentally collapse into their “default choice,” which doesn’t turn out
so well for hopeful prisoners. The default decision for a parole judge
is no. When in doubt and willpower is low, the prisoner stays behind
bars.
And if you’re not careful, your default settings may convict you
too.
When our willpower runs out, we all revert to our default
settings. This begs the question: What are your default settings? If
your willpower is dragging, will you grab the bag of carrots or the bag
of chips? Will you be up for focusing on the work at hand or down for
any distraction that drops in? When your most important work is done
while your willpower wanes, default will define your level of
achievement. Average is often the result.
coco
(coco)
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