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Writer's picturePheonix Drewell

REACTIVE BASED DECISION MAKING Part 2

A response to stimulI



INSTINCTS (Reactive) Based Decision Making

  1. Instincts takes place at an atomic level

  2. They are actions that arise based on learned DNA responses (issues of survival and safety)

  3. They are a principle mode found in all creatures

Main features:

  • There is never a time for thinking between understanding a situation and making a decision—actions always come before cognition.

  • Every decision is based on prior experiences, on what our species' evolutionary history has taught us about how to live and be secure. Our DNA contains these instructions in the form of cellular memory.

  • We are not consciously in control of our words, actions, and behaviours. They are in control of us.

Decisions based on instinct are made by the body-mind. The "institutionalised" DNA memories that protect and secure our physical body are stored in the body-mind.







SUBCONSCIOUS BELIEF (Reactive) Based Decision Making

  1. When making decisions based on subconscious beliefs, we do it without thinking beforehand

  2. We rely on our own personal memories rather than the institutionalised memories of our cellular structure (DNA).

  3. Action and thought both come first in this form of decision-making.

  4. A release of emotional energy frequently occurs along with the action.

  5. Subconscious fear based beliefs dominate if you feel impatient, frustrated, upset or angry due to unmet ego deficiency needs that have never been resolved.

  6. A current scenario sets off reactions and feelings, which prompt you to look back to a previously unresolved instance from the past in which your needs weren't met.

  7. Positively charged feelings like joy and happiness are a result of memories of past events that helped you fill a deficiency in your life.


Main features:

  • Actions always come before thought; there is no time for deliberation between interpreting the circumstances and making a decision that leads to an action.

  • The decisions made are always based on the experiences of the past—what your own history has taught you about sustaining internal stability and external equilibrium within the confines of your childhood existence. The history is stored in our memory.

  • Our behaviours and deeds are out of our hands. The only way to regain conscious control over your actions in this mode of decision-making is to either let go of or suppress your emotions. We can return to reason by letting go. Pressure increases when things are bottled up.

  • It is incredibly personal. We don't consult with others to improve our meaning and support our decision-making.



Information from

Richard Barretts 6 Modes of Decision Making




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