Command Decisionmaking in the Information Age: Is the Intuitive Thinker Doomed to Extinction?

Many military leaders believe that advanced new computer systems will allow for more effective decision making. Others fear that overreliance on computers will slowly erode commanders intuitive skills. The human brain performs two distinct intellectual processes. The left hemisphere, which processes information sequentially, is typically regarded as analytical in nature and is useful for sorting and assimilating a series of individual facts. The right hemisphere processes information more profusely, which permits more inputs to be processed simultaneously. Because the analytical process forms the foundation of language, mathematics, and rational thinking, it is thought to be the natural preference of most people. And because of the seemingly spontaneous nature of the right hemispheres thoughts intuition, they are often considered less logical, and therefore less valid. Some psychologists theorize that a trained intuition is necessary to overcome the excessive preference for rational thinking and to exploit the benefits of intuitive thought. Intuition not only allows decisions to be made faster, especially when information is lacking, but it also is key for recognizing unfamiliar patterns and ideas based on previous experiences. Fears that decision makers intuitive skills may erode are warranted. This is not due to the superior performance offered by computer-aided decision systems, but rather the misconception that computers can substitute for human judgment. Affinity for analytical systems in an increasingly digital world is exacerbated by the ignorance of the human decision-making process. In reality, enhancing and relying on human intuitive abilities allows even greater exploitation of information from the digital battlefield. However, until an effort is made to understand that a trained intuition will allow faster decision making, the natural tendency to rely on analytical systems will continue.