A recent study has shed light on why some people seem locked into a pattern of making poor choices, suggesting that our biology and psychology may hardwire certain individuals for repeated mistakes. Conducted by a team at UNSW Sydney, the research invites a fresh and sometimes uncomfortable perspective: for some, the cycle of bad decision-making is less a matter of willpower and more a persistent, personality-like trait. The findings hold significant implications not only for understanding addiction and risk behaviors but also for how Thai society navigates education, workplace dynamics, and social interventions.
The relevance of this discovery to Thai readers cannot be overstated. In a culture often shaped by notions of kreng jai (deference) and the desire to avoid confrontation or loss of face, understanding the roots of persistent mistakes—whether in business, education, or personal life—has the potential to transform how we approach everything from youth guidance to corporate training. For parents, teachers, and employers across Thailand, the notion that some forms of problematic behavior may be rooted in cognitive patterns rather than simply stubbornness or ignorance is a paradigm-shifting idea.
According to the report, the UNSW Sydney team recruited participants to play an online decision-making game. Players chose between two “planets”, with one awarding points and the other subtracting them. Over several rounds, the underlying pattern should have become obvious: choose wisely, and your score climbs; choose poorly, and you lose. Yet researchers observed three distinctly different responses among participants.
Group one, called “Sensitives,” quickly figured out the pattern and adapted, maximizing rewards. Group two, the “Unawares,” missed the pattern initially, but improved markedly once it was explained. The most intriguing, however, was a third group: the “Compulsives.” Even after being explicitly told which choice was harmful, the Compulsives kept repeating the same mistakes, losing points over and over.
Dr. Jean-Richard-dit-Bressel, a lead researcher from UNSW, noted, “We basically told them, ‘this action leads to that negative consequence, and this other one is safe.’ Most people who had been making poor choices changed their behavior immediately. But some didn’t.” Notably, even when tested again six months later, the Compulsives continued making the same errors, despite being able to explain their (faulty) decision strategies.
This surprising consistency led researchers to suggest that chronic poor decision making may indicate a stable personality trait, not simply random error or bad days. As cited in the report, Dr. Jean-Richard-dit-Bressel said, “That was one of the more striking findings. It suggests these aren’t just random mistakes or bad days. They’re stable traits—almost like personality types. This is not to say they’re fixed, just that they may require intervention to break.”
But why do some people fall into this pattern? Dr. Pragya Agarwal, an author and academic cited in the report, explains the phenomenon involves something called “frequency bias.” If a person repeats an error often enough, the neural pathway for that mistake grows stronger, making it the brain’s default response. “The more we repeat the same tasks, the more likely we are to traverse the mistake pathway, until it becomes so deeply embedded that it becomes a set of permanent cognitive shortcuts in our brains,” Dr. Agarwal observed.
The implications stretch far beyond simple games. Addiction, gambling, compulsive spending, and chronic unhealthy behaviors may all share this same stubborn resistance to corrective learning. The study’s findings are a call to action—especially in contexts like Thailand, where gambling, for example, persists below the surface of legal restrictions and where internet addiction among youth is drawing increasing concern (Bangkok Post).
It is important to emphasize that these decision-making tendencies are not unchangeable. Dr. Agarwal recommends societal shifts that remove shame from mistakes—urging us to “embrace the discomfort associated with failure.” In Thailand, where the concept of losing face may dissuade people from admitting and learning from mistakes, this advice is particularly resonant. The more guilt and shame one feels, the more likely the problem behavior is to repeat. By contrast, accepting and learning from errors can open new cognitive pathways and break the cycle.
For Thailand, where the Ministry of Public Health has reported increasing rates of addiction and impulsive risk-taking among adolescents (Thai Ministry of Public Health data), these findings point towards the need for interventions that go beyond simple explanation or discipline. Indeed, programs that combine early detection of compulsive behavior patterns with supportive counseling or mindfulness-based interventions could prove more effective. Educational reform, too, may benefit by placing greater emphasis on understanding student thinking styles and providing resources for those who struggle to learn from negative outcomes.
The study also resonates with Buddhist philosophical traditions, which stress mindfulness, self-reflection, and overcoming the cycle of suffering. However, the modern insight that some brains may be “wired” to take the same negative path suggests a new, science-based layer to the pursuit of liberation from suffering—a bridge between ancient wisdom and contemporary cognitive psychology.
Looking to the future, expect advances in neuroimaging and behavioral genetics to deepen our understanding of why some people become “Compulsives.” For Thailand this could mean targeted mental health and educational programs, specifically for those displaying inflexible thinking patterns. Schools and workplaces can also be encouraged to foster cultures where mistakes are not punished, but openly discussed and learned from, reducing the social shame that keeps harmful behaviors alive.
For individuals and families worried about their own patterns of decision-making, there are practical steps to take. Mindfulness practices, often taught in Thai schools and temples, can help individuals notice when they’re repeating a harmful pattern. Seeking input from trusted mentors or professional counselors, especially when feeling “stuck,” is wise. And parents and educators should watch for students who seem unable to change their approach even in the face of repeated failures—these are the ones who may most benefit from guidance and structured intervention.
In summary, the latest research from UNSW Sydney, as reported by YourTango, shows that for some people, the “mistake pathway” in the brain is intensely persistent—but not insurmountable. Recognizing this opens up new routes to compassion, understanding, and more effective help for those in need—whether in classrooms, rehab centers, or the family home. Thai society, with its strong traditions around respect, learning, and forgiveness, is uniquely positioned to benefit from these insights, adapting both science and culture to build better outcomes for future generations.
For those interested in learning more or seeking ways to support themselves or others struggling with repeated decision-making problems, it is recommended to consult both psychological professionals and explore mindfulness programs, many of which are offered through Thai educational and religious institutions.
Source citations: YourTango: Study Says Some People Were Basically Born To Make Bad Decisions Over & Over Again Bangkok Post: Teenage Internet Addicts on the Rise Thai Ministry of Public Health