Everyone make mistakes, including mental ones. We’re only human, and human error means a lot of mistakes, even if we’re careful. However, knowing better allows us to do better, starting with understanding what a “mental error” even means.
“Mental mistakes are errors in thinking that can lead to wrong conclusions or bad decisions,” he explains Dr. Sanam Hafeez, Psi.D., a neuropsychologist and director of Comprehend the Mind. “It often happens when someone rushes to judgment or overlooks important information.”
She shares that common reasons people make errors include assumptions, distractions, and biases. No one is immune to these entanglements. But certain people are more likely to make these mistakes more often, whether you’re forgetful, you don’t pay attention to details, or your mind is going a million miles an hour. However, Dr. Hafeez and other psychologists note that high-level thinkers are less likely to make mental mistakes.
“High-level thinkers look beyond the obvious and try to understand complex ideas and more than just one perspective,” she shares.
As a result, the common brain errors that the general population might make are not the ones that high-level thinkers make. Psychologists share with Parade THE 14 mental mistakes that high-level thinkers avoid (at least at least).
Related: 9 Things High Thinkers Notice That the Average Person Ignores, According to Psychologists
14 Common ‘Mental Mistakes’ High Thinkers Avoid, Say Psychologists
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1. Overconfidence
High level thinkers may seem like the smartest person in the room, but don’t tell them that.
“High-level thinkers tend not to think they know more than they do,” he explains Dr. Craig Kain, Ph.D.licensed psychologist. “Because they value the principle of intellectual humility, they are much more likely to entertain the possibility that their thinking is incorrect or that their beliefs are wrong.”
He says you can identify high-level thinkers in leadership positions at work. They are the ones who ask everyone for suggestions and honestly and intentionally take the time to consider them.
2. Confirmation bias
Confirmation bias can occur when we search for and interpret information that supports a preexisting idea. Dr. Kain says high-level thinkers avoid this cognitive mishap, which is quite a feat in today’s world.
“Especially in an information society based on algorithms, it’s easy to only consume news and other information that supports what we already believe to be true,” he shares. “Because high-level thinkers value the principle of intellectual openness, they actively seek out other sources of information.”
He shares that this information could come from intentionally talking to people from diverse backgrounds with different opinions, or varying their news diets to include diverse perspectives.
3. Make snap judgments
Dr. Hafeez notes that high-level thinkers are careful to avoid snap judgments because they know it “can lead to errors.”
Dr. Kain points out that it’s a challenge to avoid the need to make snap judgments, not just because society has become accustomed to instant gratification.
“Our brains are naturally designed to make quick judgments and decisions,” he says. “It’s energy efficient and at the same time very problematic.”
High level thinkers subscribe to intellectual thinking.
“They’re more likely to take their time to make a decision, sleep on it, than rush into it,” he shares. “Only after they have gathered a sufficient amount of information will they make a deliberate decision or come to a definite conclusion. They are also not above revising their opinions as new facts emerge.”
4. Decisions based on pressure
A psychologist reports that high-level thinkers also won’t bow to external pressures to make a decision.
“If you’ve ever tried to rush a high-level thinker, you’ve probably felt ignored,” states Dr. Michele Leno, Ph.D.licensed psychologist and host a Mind Matters with Dr. Michele. “They like to process, preferably not with a group. Even if they are part of a group, they need time to think independently without influence.”
Related: 4 Social Cues Emotionally Intelligent People Always Notice Them
5. Let emotion decide what is true
High level thinkers are actually rather quiet.
“While there’s something to be said for trusting our gut, high-level thinkers see it as insufficient. It’s not like they’re going to ignore what their gut is telling them,” says Dr. Kain. “They just think that relying on a single source of information demonstrates a lack of intellectual integrity.”
6. Run away from difficult or uncomfortable information
If someone is comfortable being uncomfortable, they are a high-level thinker—and not just during a workout.
“High-level thinkers believe that avoiding difficult or uncomfortable information shows a lack of intellectual courage, a principle they greatly admire,” says Dr. Kain. “Instead, they actively seek problematic, troublesome, and avoidable knowledge.”
He says high-level thinkers choose to engage in challenging conversations and find the process of confrontation rewarding. Yes, seriously!
7. Blaming others for accidents
High level thinkers are not perfect and have the humility to accept that.
“They know that mistakes happen and that pleasing everyone is not an option,” says Dr. Leno. “They’ll say, ‘I’m sorry,’ before they point the finger.”
8. Going with easy explanations
“High-level thinkers appreciate the difference between an easy explanation and an elegant explanation,” says Dr. Kain.
He notes that high-level thinkers rarely stop at just the first answer that comes to mind.
“That would demonstrate a lack of intellectual tenacity, a principle he embraces,” he reports. “Instead, they are open to many alternative explanations. Only after entertaining other solutions that might be true do they settle on an explanation for a situation or an answer to a problem.”
He says it’s the right answer I might it aligns with the high-level thinker’s first thought, but it might not.
9. Overcomplicating things
High-level thinkers can seem like people who spend a lot of time in their heads. Although these people need time to make intentional decisions, they generally don’t get caught up in analysis paralysis and avoid solving a problem or communicating their choice. Instead, they strike an inspirational balance between intention and promptness. Here’s how.
“High-level thinkers try to simplify complex problems without losing important details,” says Dr. Hafeez. “Too much complication can slow progress and cause confusion.”
Related: People Who Instantly Overanalyze Their Social Interactions Often Share These 9 Traits, Psychologists Explain
10. Taking things personally
High-level thinkers are human; he experiences hurt feelings just like everyone else. However, a psychologist shares that they tend to take things less personally than others.
“They understand that most people’s behavior is shaped by their own stress and emotional capacity,” he saysDr. Crystal Saidi, Psi.D.a licensed psychologist with Thriveworks. “They don’t internalize their own worth based on someone else’s mood.”
11. Catastrophizing
Chicken Little was not a high level thinker. Look how quickly the falling “sky” catastrophized!
“High-level thinkers tend to resist the urge to panic,” says Dr. Saidi. “Instead, they gather facts and remember that emotion does not equal evidence. This calm approach helps regulate their nervous system and prevents problems from escalating.”
12. All or nothing thinking
High level thinkers don’t think in such black and white terms.
“They embrace flexibility, and instead of saying ‘I failed’ or ‘I succeeded,’ they see effort, progress and context,” explains Dr. Saidi. “This type of mindset can reduce anxiety and stress.”
13. Overgeneralization
Heck, someone thinking on a high level could find this the story is a bit annoying. Finally, we make some generalizations.
“High-level thinkers avoid assuming that one situation applies to all situations,” notes Dr. Hafeez. “Looking at each individual case helps them see the whole picture.”
14. Mind reading
High-level thinkers avoid trying to get inside other people’s heads.
“Instead of filling in the blanks with assumptions, they ask questions to clarify or give the benefit of the doubt until proven wrong,” explains Dr. Saidi. “This can prevent unnecessary conflict.”
Related: 8 behaviors that instantly reveal someone has low emotional intelligence, psychologists say
How to avoid mental mistakes like a high-level thinker
1. Avoid making decisions on the fly
Dr. Leno explains that many of us sometimes resort to getting things done just to check them off our to-do list or fit into a timeline. While understandable, thinking at a high level requires a little more intention.
“Even if you’re a procrastinator, thinking about what, how, when, and where can give you the jumpstart you need to avoid mental mistakes,” she says.
2. Log in before you act
Gut decisions have their place in high-level thinking, but the need for intention still applies. Tune in to your body.
“If it doesn’t feel right, don’t do it,” says Dr. Leno. “If relying on your instincts seems like a foreign concept, you probably need to slow down, think, and connect with your thoughts.”
3. Challenge yourself
This is the biggest thing (although doing the first two steps lays the foundation for it).
“We can actively challenge ourselves to think about things in ways we might not always be comfortable with, which helps us develop intellectual curiosity,” says Dr. Kain.
He says challenging yourself might look like this:
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Doing something that pushes you outside of your comfort zone, like going to the opera.
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Researching a topic you have no prior knowledge of.
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Viewing alternative news sources.
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Playing devil’s advocate with yourself (Dr. Kain says you can ask yourself, “Can I make a solid case that what I think is true could be false?”).
“We can develop intellectual perseverance by challenging ourselves to solve difficult problems that involve more than a few steps,” he explains. “Learning a new language takes a lot of time and cognitive energy, and it’s easy to give up when language acquisition becomes difficult.”
However, not giving up has a huge payoff.
“Having the strength to stick with it and keep learning helps us develop the principle of intellectual perseverance,” he shares.
Next:
Related: People with “quiet confidence” often use these 17 expressions, according to psychologists
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This story was originally published by Parade on December 26, 2025, where it first appeared in the Life section. Add Parade as a favorite source by clicking here.