Why We All Think Irrationally (And Don’t Even Notice)
If you’ve ever argued with a teenager, watched a political debate, waited in an aircraft aisle, stood in a metro queue, or been part of a family WhatsApp group…
Congratulations — you’ve already earned an honorary degree in human irrationality.
As a psychologist, I can assure you:
Humans don’t think logically by default. We think emotionally first, and justify it later.
And nowhere is this more visible than in the logical fallacies we commit daily.
Let me walk you through them — using some real incidents so relatable that the next time someone uses one, you’ll smile quietly, sip your chai, and think, “Aha, fallacy number five.”
Straw Man: When We Fight the Wrong Enemy
Psychology behind it:
We exaggerate the other person’s point so that defeating it feels easier and emotionally satisfying.
Real incident you lived through:
During COVID, health experts said:
“Wear a mask in crowded spaces.”
Many people heard:
“So you want us to wear masks forever? Even while sleeping? Even while bathing?”
No, they didn’t.
But our brain loves drama — it turns a seatbelt reminder into a hostage situation.
Why this matters:
When we exaggerate, we stop listening.
Most arguments fail not because people disagree —
but because they’re fighting different battles.
False Dilemma: When We Believe Life Has Only Two Buttons
Psychology behind it:
Under stress, the human mind creates “all or nothing” scenarios.
Nuance feels uncomfortable.
The airport example you’ve definitely experienced:
A plane lands.
It is still moving.
Half the cabin leaps up instantly, blocking the aisle.
They behave like the options are:
- Stand right now, or
- Stay on the aircraft forever
In reality, no airline has ever announced:
“Passengers who did not stand in 0.2 seconds will be left behind.”
Why this matters:
False dilemmas create unnecessary panic — in relationships, in parenting, in workplaces, everywhere.
Appeal to Authority: When We Believe Someone Just Because They’re Famous
Psychology behind it:
We confuse confidence with competence.
Real global incident:
Celebrities around the world promoted miracle diets, immunity boosters, jade eggs, anti-virus bracelets, and detox cures.
Millions believed them —
not because the cures made medical sense,
but because the person saying it had a blue tick.
Why this matters:
Expertise is not contagious.
Fame doesn’t transfer knowledge.
Bandwagon Fallacy: When We Follow the Crowd Because ‘Ishq Hai’
Psychology behind it:
Humans are wired for herd behaviour.
If 40 people run in one direction, our brain whispers,
“They must know something.”
Real incident:
The GameStop stock frenzy in 2021.
Millions invested in a company they never heard of because:
“Everyone else is buying!”
Closer home:
At Rajiv Chowk, people join the longest queue assuming it’s correct —
while the shorter queue stands there, quietly mocking humanity.
Why this matters:
Crowds aren’t always wise.
Sometimes they’re just crowded.
Sunk Cost Fallacy: When We Keep Investing in Something That’s Failing
Psychology behind it:
We hate admitting loss.
So we keep investing, hoping to “recover” what’s gone.
Real-world examples (you’ll recognise all of them):
Kingfisher Airlines investors
Even when financial collapse was obvious, many kept pouring in money because:
“We’ve already invested so much.”
Blockbuster refusing to adopt streaming
They held on to their business model…
until Netflix handed them their obituary.
Indian home renovations
One wall repaint becomes:
“Since we've started… let’s also break the kitchen, change the tiles, fix the wiring…”
Budgets cry.
Logic dies.
Gym memberships
People pay for one year, go for one month, skip for eleven, but won’t cancel because:
“Ab paisa diya hai — jaayenge.”
(They never go.)
Why this matters:
Sometimes the smartest decision is to stop — not to push through.
Red Herring: When We Change the Topic to Save Our Ego
Psychology behind it:
When faced with something uncomfortable, the mind distracts — usually with something emotional.
Real incident seen on every Indian road:
Traffic police: “Sir, helmet?”
Rider: “Why don’t you catch VIP cars first!”
Sir, this isn’t about VIPs.
It’s about your skull.
Why this matters:
Avoiding the topic never solves the problem.
But your brain gets temporary ego relief — and that’s the trap.
Tu Quoque: When ‘You Also’ Becomes a Shield
Psychology behind it:
We deflect blame by pointing out the critic’s flaws.
It protects our ego but kills the conversation.
Real example from EVERY household:
Parent: “Reduce screen time.”
Teen: “You never put your phone down.”
Neither reduces screen time.
Everyone increases volume.
Why this matters:
This fallacy destroys genuine feedback.
Nobody grows — everyone just retaliates.
Ad Hominem: When We Attack the Person, Not the Idea
Psychology behind it:
When we cannot defeat the argument, we attack the human being saying it.
Real example seen worldwide (Brexit, U.S. elections, Indian debates):
Instead of discussing policy, opponents say:
“You’re ignorant.”
“You’re anti-national.”
“You don’t understand anything.”
The issue disappears.
The insult takes center stage.
Why this matters:
Personal attacks feel powerful.
They also guarantee that the argument goes nowhere.
Hasty Generalization: When One Incident Becomes a Universal Rule
Psychology behind it:
The brain loves shortcuts — one experience becomes “the truth.”
Real global example:
After Samsung Note 7 exploded, people said:
“All Samsung phones explode.”
Similarly:
One rude Uber driver →
“Uber drivers are all terrible.”
One late Swiggy delivery →
“Swiggy is always late.”
Why this matters:
Generalizations feel convenient but create massive blind spots.
Fallacy Fallacy: When We Reject a Truth Because Someone Explained It Badly
Psychology behind it:
We assume good ideas must come with good arguments.
But reality doesn’t work that way.
Real example we see DAILY on WhatsApp:
Someone shares a badly-written post about pollution.
Another person debunks the grammar and logic.
Group concludes:
“So pollution is fake?”
No.
Bad argument ≠ nonexistent problem.
Why this matters:
Truth stands independent of how well someone explains it.
A Final Word From Your Psychologist
Most conflicts, confusions, and “I can’t believe humans think like this” moments are not about intelligence —
they’re about cognitive shortcuts.
Our brains are designed for survival, not accuracy.
Fallacies are like autopilot modes: quick, emotional, effortless.
But once you start spotting them, something beautiful happens:
- You stop reacting and start observing.
- You stop getting dragged into pointless arguments.
- You understand people’s behaviour instead of judging it.
- And honestly…
you start finding daily life incredibly entertaining.
Human irrationality is not a flaw —
it’s a fascinating psychological pattern.
And now that you see it clearly,
you’re not just living life…
you’re decoding it
