A gut reaction is an emotional response to something, named after the patellar reflex. Critical thinking is the opposite of a knee-jerk reaction and is important in social situations to avoid negative consequences.
A gut reaction is an emotional rather than an analytical response to something. The term gets its name from the response usually caused by the medical reflex test in which the leg snaps forward when the tendon below the knee is struck with a rubber mallet. This is medically known as the patellar reflex and was documented in Sir Michael Foster’s 1877 textbook of physiology. As early as the tenth century, the term gut reaction was used figuratively to refer to a non-thinking reaction.
Today, many people see this expression used in political debates. One candidate may accuse the other of answering a certain problem with a poorly crafted response rather than in a way that provides an adequate solution to a problem. Such an accusation then makes the opponent seem less intellectually capable unless he can describe how the problem was handled analytically and carefully.
Thinking about problems before reacting impulsively is the opposite of a knee-jerk reaction. Anger management is an example where people are guided to use critical thinking skills rather than reacting based on their emotions. Critical thinking is the discipline of taking the time to examine the situation critically before taking action. A critical thinker uses observation and objectivity to find an answer to something, while a person prone to knee-jerk reactions tends to react emotionally and subjectively to a situation or problem.
In social situations, an impulsive reaction is usually not appropriate as it can cause a negative situation to escalate. For example, if a customer reacts to bad service in a restaurant or shop emotionally rather than rationally, yelling or name-calling is likely to occur. If the customer calms down first and then takes a few minutes to think about the problem and possible solution, the outcome is likely to be more pleasant for everyone present.
Since there are always consequences to any action, a well-thought-out response is likely to have more positive consequences than a knee-jerk one. Many people have realized this when they just blurt something out to someone rather than thinking before they speak. An impulsive reaction must not be influenced by anger; it could be provoked by any emotion.
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