Human Behavior Not That Complicated, Professor Says

It's not rocket science; the way to get inside another person's mind is to ask them what's on it.

That was the word from Dr. Nicolas Epley, professor of behavioral science at the University of Chicago and speaker at today's Life Insurance Conference.

The capacity to think about the minds of others is what sets humans apart from animals, Epley said, although we frequently misunderstand what others are thinking.

The problem in understanding others is not incompetence but hubris, he said. We frequently make social interactions "all about us."

Attempts to read another person's body language often fall short of revealing what they really think. In addition, research shows that trying to take another person's perspective frequently fails to result in understanding, Epley said.

So what is the easiest way to gain another person's perspective? Ask them, Epley said.

"The mind of another person is the most complicated thing you'll ever consider," he said. "Instead of learning how to guess better, we need to learn how to ask better."

Susan Rupe is managing editor for InsuranceNewsNet. She formerly served as communications director for an insurance agents' association and was an award-winning newspaper reporter and editor. Contact her at Susan.Rupe@innfeedback.com. Follow her on Twitter @INNsusan.

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