Useful information Quote by Daniel Kahneman
““To derive the most useful information from multiple sources of evidence, you should always try to make these sources independent of each other. This rule is part of good police procedure. When there are multiple witnesses to an event, they are not allowed to discuss it before giving their testimony. The goal is not only to prevent collusion by hostile witnesses, it is also to prevent unbiased witnesses from influencing each other. Witnesses who exchange their experiences will tend to make similar errors in their testimony, reducing the total value of the information they provide. Eliminating redundancy from your sources of information is always a good idea. The principle of independent judgments (and decorrelated errors) has immediate applications for the conduct of meetings, an activity in which executives in organizations spend a great deal of their working days. A simple rule can help: before an issue is discussed, all members of the committee should be asked to write a very brief summary of their position. This procedure makes good use of the value of the diversity of knowledge and opinion in the group. The standard practice of open discussion gives too much weight to the opinions of those who speak early and assertively, causing others to line up behind them.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Thinking, Fast and Slow, Daniel Kahneman, 2011
Independent judgments reduce bias and error, improving collective decision‑making and information quality.
In simple terms: Separate opinions give better results.
Seek independent input before group discussion.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- board meetings
- legal investigations
- research panels
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you ensure true independence in a team?
- What risks arise from forced consensus?