What drives our decisions? Our food and drink picks, the views we share, and the beliefs we hold are not just random. They're shaped by who we are and what's around us. Think about it: why do people who love the same political team also love the same foods? It's because their choices are not just about what they want, but also about who they think they are.

But here's a twist: our choices aren't always clear-cut. Sometimes, what we say we want isn't what we actually pick.  Take conspiracy theorists, for example. Do they truly believe what they say, or is it something else? The same goes for shoppers. Just because someone buys a product doesn't mean they prefer it. Their choices might be influenced by what's available or what others think.

Let's dive deeper into the mind. Psychologists tried to explain this in different ways. They came up with three types of preferences: underlying, inferred, and expressed. You can think of them as three different maps to the same place. One map might show a straight path, while another might show a winding road. Both lead to the same destination, but one might be quicker than the other. Underlying preferences are the true desires that drive our choices. Inferred preferences are those we guess from watching others. Expressed preferences are the ones we say we have. They can all be different.

Our attitudes and beliefs are also complex. You might think someone's beliefs are just what they say. But people can say things just to fit in. They might hold different or contrary beliefs in different situations and around different people.

So, are we all walking around with flat minds, making choices based on what we already believe? Not quite. While some of our mental states are fixed, many are flexible and change based on the situation. Sometimes, people construct beliefs to make sense of their actions after the fact. They might not even realize they're doing it.

Don't be surprised if you have to rethink your understanding of why people make certain choices. It's not as simple as it seems. There are different types of preferences. This goes for all mental states. The next time you ask yourself or others why they make a choice, consider asking, "Which type of preference are you referring to? "

Uncovering the Many Faces of Our Choices

Actions